Creativity

Creativity and the arts Spirituality and transcendence

Architecture Artists and art history Beauty and aesthetics Celebrations and festivals Creativity Dance Film Imagination Laughter and comedy Music Painting and sculpture Philosophy of art Photography Play Poetry Stories and literature The nature of reality Theatre and performance Traditional arts

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Traditional Chinese painting of a woman resting on a chair in a pavilion by a pond with ducks and lotus flowers.

Creativity

idea

To be creative, Chinese philosophy teaches us to abandon ‘originality’

Whether grieving a death or connecting to colleagues, creativity enables an artful life, according to Chinese philosophy

by Julianne Chung

Photo of three men smiling and holding a large inflatable globe in a room with various boxes and jars.

Creativity

idea

A life of splendid uselessness is a life well lived

Like the fertile soil of a well-kept garden, a life of splendid, utter uselessness yields abundance beyond our immediate aims

by Joseph M Keegin

Abstract line drawing with intersecting lines and shapes in various colours on a light beige background.

Creativity

guide

How to be lucky

Most of us think that luck just happens (or doesn’t) but everyone can learn to look for the unexpected and find serendipity

by Christian Busch

Abstract watercolour painting of figures walking in different directions on a white background.

Play

film

An Oscar-nominated animation that celebrates walking with humans

Directed by Ryan Larkin

Black and white photo of a woman typing at a desk with a poster of Mao Zedong and framed art on the wall.

Memoir

idea

Learn the art of journaling and archive your life

Journaling is an art and a daily practice that allows you to write your life and find your way, one sentence at a time

by Sarah Boon

Photo of a blue sky with scattered white clouds and larger clouds forming on one side.

Imagination

idea

See faces in the clouds? It might be a sign of your creativity

Long considered a sign of mental illness, ‘pareidolia’ or seeing patterns in randomness might be a useful measure of creativity

by René Müri & Nicole Göbel

Abstract painting featuring geometric shapes, vibrant colours, a guitar, a pear, the word ‘entrada’ and other assorted objects.

Stories and literature

guide

How to plan your novel

Inspiration rarely comes as a mysterious visitation from the muse. Far better to learn the techniques and habits of the craft

by Jason Whittaker

Silhouette of a bird perched on branches against an orange background. This is a photo with stark contrasts and abstract elements.

Nature and the environment

film

The rhythms of a Scottish river sing the rewards of patience and flow

Directed by Izzy Gibbs

Ivory sculpture of a lion-human figure shown from three angles on a black background.

Creativity

idea

Our greatest invention was the invention of invention itself

Hypothetical thinking is the key to sustained innovation and creativity: invention drove the evolution of the human mind

by Keith Frankish

Black-and-white photo of a person sleeping against a window on a train, head resting on a pillow, outside view blurred.

Sleep and dreams

idea

The brain’s twilight zone: when you’re neither awake nor asleep

Neuroscientists are demystifying this in-between state, uncovering its role in memory processing and its creative potential

by Célia Lacaux

Black-and-white photo of an older man with curly hair gazing intensely sideways, capturing detailed facial features and deep expression.

Stories and literature

guide

How to create compelling characters

It’s not only writer’s intuition. Use personality psychology to create just the right blend of surprise and believability

by Kira-Anne Pelican

Abstract figure with tree-like head, green patterned torso and outlined suit, against a black background.

Creativity

film

An improvised animation doubles as an absurdly fun lesson in creativity

Directed by Sasha Svirsky