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This site is a little project that lets me make fun of some things and sense of others. I use it to think a little more relationally without resorting to doing actual math.Subscribe
This site is a little project that lets me make fun of some things and sense of others. I use it to think a little more relationally without resorting to doing actual math.
C = Medical School Students
C = CEO’s of Major Motion Picture Companies
C = blog commenters
Paul’s comment = brilliant!
As someone who works in the field of arts education, I think I know what this image is trying to depict, yet have to disagree to some degree. First, I’m not sure if it’s positing creativity vs. education, as I don’t think the two are always in conflict (bad education can definitely extinguish creativity).
And while I agree that to maintain creativity, one must foster a sense of risk taking and wonder, I’m not sure those ideas are synonymous with innocence.
Wait… Jessica Hagy?
Don’t suppose you graduated from Ohio U?
It’s not that creativity and education are exclusive, but more so that through the process of education, kids are also educated as to what doesn’t work – which leads to the jaded effect and a decrease in creativity. Seems that only a small number – either the truly brilliant or extremely lucky – make it to the top of the pyramid.
As both a former high school teacher and a current certified youth fitness specialist, I’ve seen firsthand a LOT of truth in the above comparison. I won’t say it’s 100% true 100% of the time, but by and large, it’s spot-on. Creativity can be fostered alongside education, but it’s certainly a rarity these days as schools are more worried about teaching to the standardized tests that will determine their financial (and employment) future.
Thanks for the great post Jessica, you’re my favorite belligerent creative genius!
A = compliant/maleable
and of course there is a small percentage who start off bloody minded! Not much creativity there!
For the vast majority though, you’re dead right.
Bingo!
The qualities that you often try to suppress in your kids are the very ones that will serve them well as adults.
The way I first read this I saw them not as education going up with creativity going down. I saw it as in some fields the more educated people become the least carefree they are, and with art the more they learn how to do things the more they become wild and creative and carefree.
Young artists unsure of what they’re doing can be surly and easily frustrated along with having an idea that they know everything about art, but as they learn more and are able to do more they’re happier and able to express themselves more freely and if they don’t become innocent they still certainly better learn how to take joy in simple things.
C = 15% of sixth graders who won’t work but could do the work if they wanted to
C = 15% of sixth graders who won’t do the work because they can see that it is stupid and senseless!
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