The Genius Myth
The Creative Curve is a book written by Big Data entrepreneur Allen Gannett, in which he overturns the mythology around the concept of creative genius and teaches the reader how to develop the right idea at the right time.
The so-called creative curve is the point of optimal tension between the novel and the familiar.
The author uses recent research to prove that, against the popular belief, there is indeed a predictable science behind achieving commercial success.
The Creative Curve seeks the balance between both familiarity and novelty. According to Gannett, backed by lots of scientists and psychologists, that's why we like songs more and more with each additional listen.
During this kind of "honeymoon phase", we tend to really dig that tune, sometimes even love it. But after a few exposures, we reach a peak and from now on every listen makes us like it less and less. That's why this particular curve is bell shaped.
When we first encounter something new, our first reaction is what is known as "the avoidance reflex". After that, our natural response is to enter a phase of: "maybe I should check this out".
When the feeling of novelty decays over time, is when we've reached the point of cliché. The next stop is a place where ideas are doomed to become out-of-date, that in the book is aptly called follow-on failure.
The author also explains that many studies have shown that all kind of artists and professionals experience changes in their brain structure over time as they practice and improve their craft.
This phenomenon based on our brains' physiology adapting to new experiences is called brain plasticity. So, instead of waiting for flashes of divine inspiration, the best way to become a "genius" is to invest time and effort.
Conducted by X.P.