Creativity emerged as a social value during the Cold War, with original thinking becoming important to distinguish American values.
The concept of creativity was democratized and commodified, becoming a cultural value and a marketable asset.
Deep dives
The Emergence and Definition of Creativity
Creativity was historically tied to the ability to create something new and valuable, and it was perceived as a human trait. The idea of creativity emerged in the mid-20th century, fueled by anxieties about technology and conformity. It became a buzzword in Western culture as a way to distinguish American values as unique and superior, particularly during the Cold War period. Creativity was seen as a solution to societal challenges and was marketed as a means to individual fulfillment and success. However, the concept of creativity was also shaped by economic interests, as businesses saw it as a way to foster innovation and extract valuable ideas from employees.
The Democratization of Creativity
The concept of creativity was democratized, challenging the notion that it was exclusive to geniuses or artists. It was presented as a trait that anyone could possess, and creativity became a cultural value. Its association with individualism, inventiveness, and self-expression made it appealing in a post-war era marked by fears of conformity and technological advancements. Creativity was widely promoted as essential for personal growth, success, and as a tool applicable to various fields and professions.
The Commodification of Creativity
Creativity became commodified, with businesses capitalizing on the market for creativity-related research, training, and consulting. The rise of design thinking and brainstorming sessions exemplified the commercialization of creativity. While the intent was to foster innovation and unleash individual creativity within organizations, it also raised questions about the value and authenticity of creativity. The notion of creativity as a means to self-actualization and personal fulfillment was exploited for profit, contributing to the perception that creativity had been co-opted and devalued.
Challenges and the Future of Creativity
The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has challenged the perception of creativity as a uniquely human trait. AI's ability to generate new ideas and creative outputs has made us question the intrinsic value of human creativity. While AI can generate novel and appropriate content, it falls short in terms of quality, human experience, and cultural significance. As AI advances, it raises concerns about job displacement and the need to redefine creativity in a world where machines can replicate creative outputs. Rethinking creativity and exploring other values beyond novelty and innovation can help navigate a post-creativity world, allowing us to deliberate on what should be created and placing importance on the content and effects of our creations.
Humans have always created. But historian Samuel W. Franklin argues that "creativity" didn't become a social value until the Cold War. Today, we're at another inflection point for humanity, technology, and national identity. The meaning of originality is blurring; there are legal disputes about what constitutes original art; and AI can write a song like your favorite artist in seconds. So what does it mean to put creativity on a pedestal? And what would it look like to tear it down? On this episode, we talk with Franklin, author of "The Cult of Creativity: A Surprisingly Recent History," about original thinking, AI, and how the human drive to create gets branded, packaged, and sold.