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A review by audaciaray
Imagine: How Creativity Works by Jonah Lehrer
2.0
I have been plodding through this book because I've been listening to the audio book (featuring the author) when I go on my runs. It's been kinda like listening to a really long episode of RadioLab, without the Jad and Robert banter.
Generally, its a fascinating exploration of what fosters creativity, and the degree to which creativity is a thing that can be encouraged in anyone, given the right circumstances and creative space.
But, I'm giving it only two stars because like episodes of RadioLab, the book features the innovation and ideas of white dudes, with no consideration of the privileged biases of science. The types of creativity featured in the book are capitalist-invention-related or show great success of artists - and posit white dudes as examples of success in these matters. But perhaps the means of creativity aren't a universal? No, fuck perhaps - MOST DEFINITELY there are differences in the ways creativity happens and different measures of success. And that isn't considered at all in this book, instead the white male innovator is the stand in, pretend inclusive "us."
Generally, its a fascinating exploration of what fosters creativity, and the degree to which creativity is a thing that can be encouraged in anyone, given the right circumstances and creative space.
But, I'm giving it only two stars because like episodes of RadioLab, the book features the innovation and ideas of white dudes, with no consideration of the privileged biases of science. The types of creativity featured in the book are capitalist-invention-related or show great success of artists - and posit white dudes as examples of success in these matters. But perhaps the means of creativity aren't a universal? No, fuck perhaps - MOST DEFINITELY there are differences in the ways creativity happens and different measures of success. And that isn't considered at all in this book, instead the white male innovator is the stand in, pretend inclusive "us."