“I am enough of the artist to draw freely upon my imagination.
Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited.
Imagination encircles the world” (Albert Einstein)
When
Albert Einstein was interviewed on the source of his creative genius, he was
purported to have replied, “It was
because I’m mentally retarded.” Is it possible that one of the greatest geniuses
who ever lived was mentally retarded?
Fortunately,
Einstein explained what he meant. Einstein had the mind of a child but the
brain of a scientist. Like a child, he was constantly asking probing questions
which adults regarded as ‘silly’ like: “What
will happen if I ride on a light beam?” Incidentally, it was this question
that led to his discovery of his famous Theory of Relativity.
In
essence, Einstein never grew up. He retained his childlike curiosity. That was
why he considered himself “mentally
retarded.” Unlike a child, however, Einstein was able to answer his own
questions because he had the knowledge and creativity of a scientist.
Another
quality of Einstein was that he imagined in pictures rather than using the
language of words in his thinking. Every language carries with it inherent
limitations that restrict thinking. For instance, the definition of the word “atom” as an indivisible part of matter
restricted thinking about the structure of atoms for many years. Words have
limitations. Thinking visually and escaping from our linguistic limitations
enriches our imagination.
Therein
lies a secret to creativity – maintain the innocent curiosity of a child and
imagine in pictures more than words.
Note: Short article above is taken
from Dr. Yew Kam Keong’s You Are Creative:
Let Your Creativity Bloom, 3rd Edition (Petaling Jaya: Advantage
Quest Publications, 2007), Page 17.
Lord, Give Us Today Our Daily Idea(s)
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