“When we consider the phenomenon of collective creativity, which combines drops of individual creativity that frequently are insignificant in themselves, we readily understand what an enormous percentage of what has been created by humanity is a product of the anonymous collective creative work of unknown inventors” (Vygotsky, 1930:5).
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In her TedTalk, "Your Elusive Creative Genius," acclaimed author Elizabeth Gilbert describes the unrealistic expectations society places on artists and geniuses. She suggests that instead of considering genius a rare quality in specific individuals, each one of us possesses a genius waiting to be unleashed.
I love the potential of this idea, and would suggest that there might be another way to look at it - that there exists a collective genius that only comes to be through the energy, ideas, diverse experience and expertise that happens in community.
Though we are conditioned to believe that creativity is individually sourced, there is a less discussed creativity that needs amplifying - that which comes from groups of people encouraging each other; challenging and arguing with each other; reacting for or against each others’ work.
The Big Idea
Collective creativity1 is creativity that comes from groups. It not about making ONE person’s idea come to life, or on the other end, groupthink, but creating with others so that the final result has co-author and co-ownership.
The concept of collective creativity:
allows for a wide range of ideas and expertise,
is more accessible to a greater number of people, and
makes things happen that would not have happened without the network.
It is also energizing to be a part of it.
With technology connecting us across time and geography, with a renewed light under our human connection, and with the recognition that we’re better together - there are more ways and reasons to collaborate to create, to solve problems, to engage in projects - together.
This post calls out some conditions that are needed for collective creativity across schools and sectors, with the hope that we all might create space for it to grow.
Making Big Ideas Usable
Below are five guiding essentials for collective creativity anywhere. And if you are up for it, there is a short video that explains each concept and an opportunity to participate in this notion. It’s a collective for collective creativity :
1. Burstiness (an indicator of psychological safety that makes everyone more creative)
Burstiness2 is when everybody is speaking and responding to each other in a short amount of time instead of having it draw out over a long period of time. One person calls out an idea and anther builds on it. The end might not look anything like the beginning, but the process contributes.
Take it further: Here is one of my very favorite podcasts of all time on the term, with Adam Grant and Trevor Noah in the writer’s room at the Daily Show.3 No time to listen? Here are the highlights.
2. Scenius (the collective brings out genius for all)
Scenius4is communal genius, the creative intelligence of a community. It’s the intelligence and inspiration that comes as a part of a scene, rather than found in a person‘s genes.5 It’s combinational brilliance that creates collective creativity.
Instead of an individual, fertile scenes involving lots and lots of people – people who are fashionable and know what the hip things are and those who are traditional and rooted in ancient wisdom – all sorts of people create an ecology of talent and nourishment. And out of that ecology comes wonderful work. When an individual is part of a scenius, the collective will become the creator.
Take it further: Check out Brian Eno explaining his term.
3. Shine Theory (the community makes you shine and you make it shine)
Friendship can change the world. This and several other terms on this list might sound corny, but it is true. The foundation of systemic change comes through the social relationships we make as individuals, and boy-oh-boy do we need some systemic change right about now.
As we study the history of social progress, it’s clear that no one person can create change no matter how great of a leader they may be. It takes a team of people with different strengths, experiences, and passions to exact change. We are impelled by the power of social connection. Shine Theory6 is a commitment to others, helping them be their best selves and relying on them in return. It is a conscious decision to bring your full self to your friendships, and to not let insecurity or envy overtake them.
Take it further: Here is the Call Your Girlfriend podcast episode by the women who coined the concept of Shine Theory
4. The Medici Effect (innovation comes from intersectionality)
The Medici Effect is a book by Frans Johansson. By bringing together people and ideas from a range of diverse backgrounds, you increase the likelihood of intellectual cross-pollination and through this, innovation.
Take it further: Frans Johansson explains his ideas below.
5. Practice being _____________ (let’s create a word) (The quality of seeing creative brilliance in others)
Let’s use this collective idea to create a word that captures that quality people have when they recognize, capture and open space for genius or brilliance in others.
Here are some ideas:
Innovospired: the ability to recognize and create an environment that encourages genius and brilliance in others.
Novaceptive: a quality a person has when they see the brilliance or genius or newness in others.
Mentispect: A fusion of "mental" and "respect," conveying the respect and admiration for perceptive brilliance in others.
Take it further: Add your voice to the collective in co-creating a word. Share in the comments if none of the ideas below resonate!
Being bursty, or a part of Scenius, embodying Shine Theory or being mentispect—it is all about how when we combine our light with others, we all shine brighter. It is about creating serendipity so that ideas will be built upon, connections will be made and expand, and we can all be part of the creative process- together.
It’s not about one thing, it’s about everything.
Bottom line: new ideas come from fluid, flowy contexts among communities that recognize and build upon one another. We need cooperation, community, and care right now.
Critical Connections
What do you think? How could you put the post into practice? I’d love to hear. Here are some other prompts:
Think back to the last time you were feeling really creative or open or bursty with others. What were the key ingredients for bringing out burstiness?
When have you hesitated to share creatively, and what were the barriers?
What steps can we take (school, work or life) to help live into Shine Theory?
How does being around others change your own creativity?
Who is building collectively creative communities? Who should we all meet? Read? Follow?
How are you?
No, really?
Next up….
Friends, I am on a mission to build our School of Thought collective with the hope it will continue to be bursty, and inspire others. Ways you can help:
refer a friend,
leave a comment,
share a post,
be a reader.
XO
And to thank you…
👉♥️If you are able to refer five subscribers, let me know! You will receive a School of Thought art print. 🎨
The term burstiness was coined by Carnegie Mellon professor Anita Woolley Williams, who studies creativity and innovation.
There is a cultural bias to not interrupt, when many cultures see interruption, talking over one another or even disagreement as connection. See this article.
Brian Eno suggested the word to convey the extreme creativity that groups, places or "scenes" can occasionally generate.
Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman, who co-hosted the podcast Call Your Girlfriend, and co-authored the best-selling book Big Friendship: How We Keep Each Other Close, coined the phrase Shine Theory.
Love love love everything about this!
insightful read, Jane.
this needs to be a movement!