Unlock Your Lost Creativity: NASA Study on the Decline of Creativity in Adults
A NASA study on creativity found that 5-year-olds are creative geniuses, but only 2% of adults are. Learn more about the study and how to unlock your lost creativity.
![Author profile image](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1601085315845955584/dANLgWY3_normal.jpg)
Nathan Baugh
I write fiction, build writing businesses, and am obsessed with storytelling. Join 69K storytellers: https://t.co/OleNU3OTwq
![Header media for article](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FzOpToMWcAAfB3_.jpg)
-
NASA researchers found 98% of 5-year-olds are creative geniuses.
— Nathan Baugh (@nathanbaugh27) June 22, 2023
But only 2% of adults are.
Here’s the study + how to unlock your lost creativity: pic.twitter.com/djnkNmM7dg -
In 1968, NASA had Dr. George Land do a longitudinal study on creativity.
— Nathan Baugh (@nathanbaugh27) June 22, 2023
He tested the creativity of people at 5 years old and then at later milestones:
• 10
• 15
• 31
The 5-year-olds absolutely crushed.
The adults... not so much. pic.twitter.com/KsRE29H5FK -
The results raise lots of questions:
— Nathan Baugh (@nathanbaugh27) June 22, 2023
• Why does creativity decline?
• What role does our school system play?
• How can you keep your creativity as you age?
Land asked those same questions.
He has a theory on how to keep (or even re-capture) your creativity: -
There are two kinds of thinking:
— Nathan Baugh (@nathanbaugh27) June 22, 2023
1. Divergent
Imagining new possibilities and ideas.
2. Convergent
For evaluating and decision-making.
School rewards convergent and punishes divergent. pic.twitter.com/cfY7JR3WC3 -
Land says:
— Nathan Baugh (@nathanbaugh27) June 22, 2023
“When we look inside the brain we find neurons are fighting each other and actually diminishing the power of the brain because we’re constantly judging, criticizing, and censoring.”
Convergent overrides divergent.
Creativity gets diminished. -
We’re born with the potential for creative genius.
— Nathan Baugh (@nathanbaugh27) June 22, 2023
But by the time you’re an adult, that’s been beaten out of 98% of us.
So, can we re-wire our non-creative adult brains?
Yup. But it takes some work.
An exercise Land recommends: -
Come up with 25+ ideas to do anything.
— Nathan Baugh (@nathanbaugh27) June 22, 2023
Let's say you want to write an article.
Brainstorm your first 25 headline ideas.
But with one catch – don't filter any.
Especially the ones your brain thinks are bad.
Pure stream of consciousness. -
What’s the lesson?
— Nathan Baugh (@nathanbaugh27) June 22, 2023
School teaches perfection.
You need a 90%+ for an A.
But to be creative, you have to let yourself have bad ideas.
Nobody has a 90%+ hit rate. -
My takeaway:
— Nathan Baugh (@nathanbaugh27) June 22, 2023
Less criticism of your own ideas, more curiosity.
If you enjoyed this, follow me @nathanbaugh27.
I talk about storytelling, writing, and creativity.
Here’s another one you might like: https://t.co/mzKrnQUKCD -
I’m reminded of a great Charlie Munger quote:
— Nathan Baugh (@nathanbaugh27) June 22, 2023
“A teacher asks a class a question:
There are 10 sheep in a pen. One jumps out, how many are left? Everyone but one boy says 9 are left. That one boy says none are left.
The teacher says “you don’t understand arithmetic.”
The boy… -
Want to become a more effective, creative storyteller?
— Nathan Baugh (@nathanbaugh27) June 22, 2023
I write a newsletter to 70k readers with that exact goal.
Join us: https://t.co/hr8eQKUMaD