The Science of the Creative Process – How it Works

The mind is an amazing entity.  Even the world’s fastest computers cannot mimic the lightening fast speed in which the human brain processes information.  Everything we take in, see, feel, learn or reason is because of the fascinating and complex entity called gray matter. Considering the fact that mankind only uses 10 percent of our brain capacity, the amazing creations we consistently pump out with great frequency is astounding. Indeed, the creative process itself is staggeringly mysterious and intriguing, so much so that researchers have tried, with limited success, to understand and map it. What we have managed to learn however is fascinating. For instance, we know that people who have strong cognitive abilities like memory and comprehension skills tend to develop strong artistic talents. In a nutshell, memory seems to directly affect creative ability. Indeed, it is from our experiences that we tend to draw inspiration, which is why so many artistic masterpieces have hints if the psyche of the creator in them. For this reason, the hippocampus, the part of the brain where memories are thought to be stored, may directly influence some aspect of creative formulations even though it may not be the actual seat of this process.

Creativity itself is said to reside in the “web of consciousness” or more specifically in microtubules called (MT’s).  MT’s is a housing of neurons that reside within nano filaments called cytoskeletons.  These MT’s contain proteins that provoke consciousness.  This provocation can turn on other neuroprocessors that lead to the recognition and achievement of creative ideals. The continued mystery is why some people seem to be born with the ability to access creative talents while others do not.  There is a strong indication that these talents may be inherent, as individuals who are creative tend to produce creative offspring. Maybe the mystery shrouding the true processes of the creative mind is a good thing.  If man were able to tap into the aspect of his brain and manipulate it for his own purposes will he not mitigate the beauty and relevance of art itself? Some things need to remain in the shadowed realms of consciousness, leaving creativity with its mystique and thereby making it special.

veronica

This is so beautifully and eloquently stated. Although I'm not a science freak but I begin to wonder how creative process works in a human's brain. Adding more curiousity is when the person has the ability to tap into the aspect of his brain and manipulate it for his own purposes. If that happens, then, every man will be genius.

KiNg ArThUr

Bellissimo! Definitely informative. My favorite professor always used 'gray matter' as an expression everytime he called his student's attention especially if that person was clueless to answer my professor's question. Anyways, I also marvelled people born with creative abilities while others don't have it. How do they acquire such knowledge and unravel the secrets of the mind? Somehow, it still remains a mystery.

Sue27

Fascinating and genius at best. I'm always the type of person who observe on a human's outside but I never thought of this. The power of mind. It's very unpredictable. I can't imagine the creative process of a genius who invented and designed walking pattern of moving robots. I know it involves science and math but those two are not my strongest suit.

Lady_Mirage

Yeah, it's really amazing how the brain works. The process of creation must be one of the unique and mysterious case that a humans can have. Inventing computers and robots are living proof that make human minds so exceptional. I remember my Logic class way back to college and I have a friend who is very brilliant with good reasoning.

Constantine

Wow. I've never read such an interesting topic like this, which reminds me of the movie, "A Beautiful Mind". I admired John Forbe Nash's creative mind to revolutionize the world of mathematics. He's a god in Economics where he recieved a Nobel Prize. After watching the film, I found out that it's not easy to be genius, there are also consequences.

poker face

I can't fully comprehend how the human mind operates. This is something that the science group thoroughly studied and researched in order to find the key to unlock the wonders of a man's creative mind. I give credits to them who find solution to a better understanding of the brain and how it works, but I'd rather keep the creative process a mystery.

Roberto M

I'm in awe while reading this. Totally surprising and educational. People learn about creative process through different individuals from their experiences, background, theories and others, but Science tells a different story. Only talented and genius people can consistently endure the scientific study of human brain. It needs time and that's what it takes to understand the process.

RiotGrrrrrl

I find it almost scary when I think about this kind of stuff. Our bodies are amazing machines and here is so much we do not know. I agree with what someone here said though -- about keeping the mystery--love, creativity--do we really want to look beneath the veil and take the magic out?

Sassy Gal

Science usually bores me but I found this informative even when it got all "technical" and what not. Still, who do researchers have to spoil everything -- leave well enough alone dudes!

Science Lover

Thanks so much for this post. I too have often wondered how the creative process works! This was definitely eye opening!

Artsy Dartsy

I have mixed feelings about science exploring creative impulses in this way. What if they decide to use this info to make software that enables anyone to be creative? Doesn't this worry anyone else?

Atrium

I say we cross that bridge when we come to it, eh? Why worry over something that hasn't happened yet?

Limbo Master

This was truly a fascinating read -- never really thought in terms of dissecting the creative process. Interesting how almost everything we do and are begins in the mind...

Suzie Q

I concur with Riot Grrrl... Don't you guys agree though that there are some places science shouldn't go? While we may be curious mystery is what makes life interesting and compelling...demystifying things like art, creativity, love and emotions kinda take all the fun out of being human...

Limbo Master

This curiosity is innocent enough -- besides, understanding what makes us tick can maybe help to make us understand that no matter where we come from we are all the same in the end.

Forward momentus

I for one am looking forward to man’s ability to package creativity—it may cease to make it a “special craft” but on the other hand the muse won’t be able to be held captive by madmen.

Chesire Cat

It is those very "madmen" that brought us some of the greatest works in history. And just as with music, if you seek to tame the "muse' you take the very heart and soul out of the process.

Forward momentus

As long as humans are involved in the process it can’t lose its heart of soul!

Chesire Cat

I disagree-- some people it in them to be creative--others just don't have that kind of vision. But that is my humble O, so lets not get stuck here, okay?

Diversity Reigns

way cool post! Everything that needs to be said has been all I can say is knowledge is never a waste and while some people may use anything good for bad purposes this should not stop the pursuit of knowledge...

Faery Muse

I didn't even know science was even looking at something like this, but then why should I be surprised...science is always poking its nose here it shouldn't... Oh well, can't do much about it but hope they won't abuse this knowledge.

Hedge Hog

That is some fascinating stuff but I think mankind would be better served by trying to figure out how to get a song out of your head that has been playing all day. Seriously. That happened to me and it was like japanese water torture...

Suwannee

LOL -- I think it's Chinese water torture Hedge Hog, but thanks for the laugh, things were getting a bit heavy in ye olde blog....

Terrace

Awesome post -- I wonder if they will do a video on the subject--like how the explain DNA structure in since class. I would totally watch that video...that would rawk

Orion's Belt

While I know the statement was in jest I don't think that us a bad idea terrace. Artists are mostly visual so it would take a visual to explain such a complex scientific ideal--or is that just me....

Terrace

Nah, I agree and while I was joking I was somewhat serious. But for me you'd have to explain it like I was a five year old--seriously--I am still confused about how photosynthesis works...

Orion's Belt

Waaaay too funny but I feel you! I am the same way. I think heavy right brainers have a hard time with certain concepts, like an inborn barrier--it can be breached though--M. C. Escher is a prime example...

Phantasm

I have known some artists who are complete right-brainers and mathematically dyslexic and others who are astounding with their ability to marry art and math with perfect symmetry (usually inventors or architects) so art can manifest itself a number of ways.

Militant Angst

I'm kinda like that. I am very good with math and analytical thinking and somehow that translates into my work, which is photography. I utilize this to create some really cool fantasy pieces which is starting to turn a few heads.

Mama Mia

I am the direct opposite--complete right brainer--I often joke that my I should be walking sideways like a crab my brain is so heavy on the right. I even have a hard time discerning my right from my left hand and telling time on a non-digital clock--someone said this is a form of dyslexia that some right brain artist suffer from.

Zephyr

I think you are right Mama--I know many artists who have that kind of problem--and I did read somewhere that is was a kind of dyslexia but I can't remember what it is called. There is a way to combat it though but it takes time and discipline, something most of may not have--LOL

Phantasm

Science and art can be homogeneous blend. I just wonder what the future holds as we start poking at what makes this or that tic. Curiosity killed the cat--is there a place we are going to poke our noses that will end up biting us in the end?

Homey

Well, much has been written about the dangers of Science getting beyond itself but I think that exploration even into forbidden territory is expected and should be welcomed to an extent. The more we explore the more we learn about our origins. For some this idea is frightening but I find it fascinating.

Raver

It's a double edged sword and people often worry about something that was made to be beneficial being used for something bad, like cloning. However, I have felt that even the most innocuous things can be ill used--fire can warm us or cause destruction -- a knife can cut food or kill. Do we stop using fire or knives because of this?

Soliel

I was talking to a friend the other day about that. We always talk about the risks associated with progress, but that has not stopped us from creating or making say, cars, which kills thousands on the interstate annually. We should always strive to be safe, but never so safe that we cease to be creative and open.

Abigail

Science is science and art is art -- sometimes the two can mesh but most of the time the two are incompatible. They are two differences forces, sometimes opposing.

Gabriel

That is not necessarily true. Some great artistic minds, DaVinci for example, was an artist as well as scientist. Many, like Escher, were also mathematicians. Analytical sciences and art do not have to be mutually exclusive.

Art Maven

Of course it will always depend on the artist. I don't like it when people try to insinuate that an artist can only create a certain way. It depends on the individual and how they are made up. We all have different perspectives and that will indicate itself. A science minded artist will have a scientific base to draw from and so forth...

Abigail

I didn't mean to imply that science and art rarely meet up, just as a rule artists tend to be very touchy-feely and more emotive, not scientific at heart...

The Revolution

Look, there will come a time when science and technology will become forever linked with art. This is why Ylotana is on the right path musically and artistically. They are exploring numerous realms of expression and doing it in a brave new way--a winning combo if you ask me

Abigial

Yeah, but don't you think there is a big different between--lets say, using a computer to create art (which means you are artistic to begin with) or someone using a template to map creativity so anyone who wasn't born with the talent or the ability can replicate the artistic process?

The Revolution

Firstly, I'd say that simply knowing how creativity works doesn't mean we would be able to manipulate it and if so, such technology requires actually manipulating the brain and is a long way off. In other words--don't worry about it. Science is not the big ole monster people try to make it out to be.

Abigail

Well--I just hope that you are right. This kinda stuff does scare me sometimes...

marigold

I for one am fascinated, but then I like to read Nova and watch the Discovery Channel. I have a great love for science and art. It is really cool to see the two merge in this post.

Cheetah Gal

Science is a misunderstood boogey man that has benefited man more than it has harmed him. I think delving into new realms of what makes us human beings tick is great--it can lead to bigger and better things, espeically in the world of art.

Ivy

what a way cool post! Who could not see the great potential of a discovery like this. It could even help those with a natural talent cultivate it even more--but not through manipulation but perhaps sheer will power...

Cheetah Gal

Sheer will power? What an intriguing concept. How could it do that?

Ivy

I dunno--just a thought i am rambling off. Like -- if you know what areas in the brain to open you can medicate with this area in mind and somehwo tap into it, see what I am saying? It could take art to a new spiritual level.

Laureli

Wow, that is pretty deep and may even work. I mean, people mediate to heal themselves, they could probably open up chakras that aid in the creative process. I like that idea a lot.

Lucid Dreamer

I think we can do that now with training. Aren't there like, certain chakras that open up creative doors. I knwo a little bit about yoga but I am not sure. Like, maybe this discovery will prove that people can turn thigngs off and the way spiritual leaders have been saying for ages...

mamie

Now that would be great! People tend to respect since more than the spiritual so if science can underlines the spiritual we may be bale to make a case to those skeptics who think creative enlightened types are just a bunch of mislead airheads.

Golden Nugget

hey--there have been great spiritual leaders who were able to perform miracles and they still couldn't persuade non-believers. I don't think a bunch of facts and figures will change anyone's mind. Either they will believe or not believe.

MiSS_Anthropy

People will go out of their way to disprove anything that doesn't measure up to their way of thinking or being even when the facts stare them right in the face. But science is always a great weapon against idiocy. That is why I think studies like these are great--it gives us something to say to people who want to tear artists down.

Art Maven

LOL--I just imagined having some facts and figure type start going on about art in a disparaging fashion and being able to throw cold hard science at them -- I can just see the confused puppy dog look on their faces -- rofl

mamie

That would be fun--I cannot wait! All I can say is bring it on baby! LOL

Powder Puff

This is such a terrific topic--very thought provoking. It is hard not to imagine where such knowledge could take us. Hopefully the path will be spiritual...hopefully...

felicity

You know, I visit a lot of music and musician pages and I hardly ever comment but this post and the comments has lured me in! I am with a lot of people here in wondering what the implications of such knowledge is. I could go either way--lets hope the outcome is mainly posiive

Virgo Smile

You mean *positive? LOL. I am just messing with you. I am the queen of typos myself. I really enjoyed the read but feel as one poster here said, we should probably just chill out unless we have a reason to get all freaked out. Just because they have the knowledge doesn't mean they can do anything with it.

Voltaire

Science is evolving just like music. At some point I think a lot of disciplines will merge--like science and art--philosophy and music. In some ways, it already has. This could be seen as a great step in the right direction.

Minx

You do have a point. Indeed this is a true wait and see. I am a pessimistic (or maybe a cynic) but I think no good will come of it. I just hope I am wrong.

Seer

I for one am just intrigued by the possibilities both good and bad. I always believed that all good things come with risks, even innocent things. For instance a plum is just a sweet piece of fruit but if it goes down the wrong pipe it could kill you. Shouldn't be afraid of potential drawbacks and halt exploration...

MiSS_Anthropy

It's called the fear of the unknown. People are often afraid of the variables they can't see. Like cloning. While I do not think we should create humans, the potential to create compatible body parts is a good thing--we can place stipulations and rules on its development--but people are so afraid they run from even the potential good...

ESQIRE

I agree with you Miss...we tend to throw the baby out with the dishwater when it comes to science but that is human nature. I also think it would be fun to see what we could do with the knowledge of the basis of creativity--we can put on the brakes if it goes too far...

Ormila

Hi, but Science tells a different story. Only talented and genius people can consistently endure the scientific study of human brain. It needs time and that's what it takes to understand the process.