What do you think?
Rate this book
Creativity: The Psychology of Discovery and Invention by Mih??ly Cs?-kszentmih??lyi
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 27, 2024
Interesting, but long with lots of disparate and unnecessary tidbits.
Basically says that creative and genius individuals are diverse and don’t have a lot unifying them as a group other than some vague characteristics, and contradictory personalities capable of containing dualities and complexities (masculine and feminine, social and introverted, orderly and chaotic, etc).
I think the whole basis of the book is kinda flawed though, because all of the research is done based on the subjects being considered especially ‘creative’ individuals as they have been accepted by a field as impressive and innovative… something which I think, and the book notes, is more based on privilege, social factors, opportunity and luck, than necessarily a superior special personal faculty.
Undercurrents of introductory systems theory tying it together. Also reference flow states frequently (csikszentmihalyi’s area of expertise) - ikigai kinda vibes.
TLDR? Summary of the books key points:
Some influential things that support creativity include: education/understanding of an existing domain; practical optimism (pull yourself up by the bootstraps kind of take to life, not defeatist); curiosity; ambition and big-picture perspectives; self-confidence; high expectations placed upon you; support and care available; and tendencies toward solitude and anti-social behaviours as well as guiding principles generally around justice or spirituality. Also big emphasis on luck and opportunity.
Basically says that creative and genius individuals are diverse and don’t have a lot unifying them as a group other than some vague characteristics, and contradictory personalities capable of containing dualities and complexities (masculine and feminine, social and introverted, orderly and chaotic, etc).
I think the whole basis of the book is kinda flawed though, because all of the research is done based on the subjects being considered especially ‘creative’ individuals as they have been accepted by a field as impressive and innovative… something which I think, and the book notes, is more based on privilege, social factors, opportunity and luck, than necessarily a superior special personal faculty.
Undercurrents of introductory systems theory tying it together. Also reference flow states frequently (csikszentmihalyi’s area of expertise) - ikigai kinda vibes.
TLDR? Summary of the books key points:
Some influential things that support creativity include: education/understanding of an existing domain; practical optimism (pull yourself up by the bootstraps kind of take to life, not defeatist); curiosity; ambition and big-picture perspectives; self-confidence; high expectations placed upon you; support and care available; and tendencies toward solitude and anti-social behaviours as well as guiding principles generally around justice or spirituality. Also big emphasis on luck and opportunity.
December 14, 2023
Csikszentmihalyi bounds creativity in “a culture that contains symbolic rules, a person who brings novelty into the symbolic domain, and a field of experts who recognize and validate innovation.” I don't necessarily agree, but I understand.
But when he described the importance of living a creative personal life, I got a little confused. He mentions that children cannot be creative. He constantly connects creativity with innovation. Whenever I read a book about creativity, I get uncomfortable when it is measured by commercial success. Even by only success (that is mostly always commercial).
Creativity is a state, a way of living. Having it recognized by experts may be important for the ones who work with it, of course. But that's a consequence of living a creative life.
But when he described the importance of living a creative personal life, I got a little confused. He mentions that children cannot be creative. He constantly connects creativity with innovation. Whenever I read a book about creativity, I get uncomfortable when it is measured by commercial success. Even by only success (that is mostly always commercial).
Creativity is a state, a way of living. Having it recognized by experts may be important for the ones who work with it, of course. But that's a consequence of living a creative life.
October 13, 2025
This guy talks like Sheldon Cooper
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews