Creativity
I have always thought of myself as a self proclaimed creative problem solver and this thought has probably more so because of my eagerness to solve problems than possibly actually solving. A talk at the Pathway to Innovation Program at UNLV by Iain Kerr, titled “Change Creativity Now: Reimagining Creativity in all its Transformative Glory”, was an eye opener. Iain described several ideas and stories that have made me rethink creativity and innovation.
If one is asked about the purpose of wings, the most likely answer would be for flying. But if one starts to consider the period over which the wings evolved among early dinosaurs, such a bold step would have been crushed by the predators. Consider a creative and innovative dinosaur who, through some gene mutation, has developed flaps. Now assuming that this dinosaur has the foresight to keep flapping these rudimentary wings with a hope that the next generations would do the same while mutating to grow feathers and create other adjustments such that eventually some descendant will be able to take the first flight. Although this story may sound creative and evolutionary, it is neither creation nor evolution.
More recently, it has been hypothesized that dinosaurs were very colorful beings with fur and feathers. The possible emergence of feathers doesn’t imply that the intent was to fly. It is known that many species use follicles to sequester poisonous substances. Thus, larger the surface area of furs and feathers, higher the capacity to get rid of toxins from blood. There may have been other added benefits of looking cool for mating or even staying warm during cold. Nevertheless, flying may not even be an after thought.
