Psst! Cheating Boosts Creativity!

Here's nonsense at work #310

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Cheating Boosts Creativity! (free public domain)

Demands for more creativity at work have me worried about the future of our society. Not because I am against creativity. But because of what it takes to be creative under pressure.

Consider the silly notion of “think outside the box.” Unless there are boundaries and constraints on your thinking, your creativity might not be practical. Interesting, maybe. Useful, probably not.

Look at it this way. Creativity is about possibilities where anything goes. Innovation is about probabilities, where only what is useful will survive. Which is why it is better to be innovative at work, rather than creative.

And now it seems the lack of boundaries and constraints can even be dangerous. Here’s why. Cheating can boost creativity. (Let’s turn that statement around. Want to be more creative? Then cheat more.)

Hey, I’m not being creative here. I am reporting the results of scientific experiments. Specifically, those designed by Dr Gino of Harvard University and Dr Wiltermuth of the University of Southern California.

It gets worse.

Apparently, the link between creativity and dishonesty is a flexible attitude to rules. This implies that creative people ignore rules. Or that if you want to be creative, then ignore rules. (Pick one that suits you.)

Do I think Gino and Wiltermuth are right? Yes. Because AI chatbots have quickly learned that ignoring copyright rules and stealing from creative humans is where the money is.

Demand creativity at work if you must, but be ready for disobedience, insurrection and revolution. From employees or AI chatbots.

Welcome to my side of the nonsense divide.

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