You Don’t Have to Be a Genius to Be Creative

Is genius necessary for creativity? Although the answer to this question is "yes" even today, the studies conducted in the 20th century reveal that it is not necessary to be a genius for creativity. A long-term experiment initiated by Lewis Terman in 1921 makes it clear that genius is not a prerequisite for creativity. Subjects participating in the study called 'Genetic Examination of Genius' are determined by passing an IQ test.

 These children, all of whom are 'intelligent', are watched for many years and it is seen that some of them have very successful careers and sign creative works, while a notable number of them do not live a remarkable life. William Shockley and Luis Alvarez, who were not included in the experiment by failing the IQ test, destroyed Terman's theory of genius. Shockley and Alvarez were awarded the Nobel Prize in the following years for their successful work in the field of physics.

 If genius isn't the key to creativity, what is? A few psychologists argue that the best creations come from an extraordinary moment of inspiration. According to them, thoughts float in the mind, catch up with the subconscious, and magically come out with their 'found' moments. People who believe this do not accept that the act of creating is the result of ordinary thought. However, the father of the theory of relativity, the famous physicist Albert Einstein, reveals in his own words that creativity is not just an inspiration.

It is said that Einstein suddenly found a point that stuck in his mind while he was developing his theory, as a result of a visit to his friend. But Einstein says that the solution is not determined all at once, it reaches him step by step. Many studies, even to prove the opposite, conclude that there is no such thing as creative thinking. Then he follows the same path when thinking about a problem. Only some are content with a certain solution, while others continue to think to take it one step further. Thus, he reaches the point of creativity.

 Success Comes Through Failure

Creating something is the repeated failure that anyone who wants to succeed must dare. Inspiring success stories don't usually mention successive moments of frustration. However, the fact that these were not transferred does not mean that all the examples of creativity of many exemplary names today were successful.

  Judah Folkman Discovery

Judah Folkman is a surgeon who has won the most important battle in the human battle against cancer. However, he achieved this success after dozens of failed experiments, many humiliations and even lack of money. Folkman put forward the theory of angiogenesis in the early 1990s. Many years ago, while working as a surgeon in the navy, he did research on the storage of blood and realized that cancer tumors were growing by forming new blood vessels.

Scientists of that period were strongly against it. Because what they see in their work is cauliflower-like white masses. However, during one of his surgeries, Folkman discovers that blood-fed tumors have spread, and the newly formed ones are white because they can't reach the blood. Folkman just can't figure out how to prevent tumors from connecting with blood vessels. Meanwhile, Folkman's salary is cut in half, barred from surgery, and the scientific community calls him insane.

However, in 1985, a fungal infection changed the fate of the experiment. Cork allows blood vessels to retract. After decades of experimentation, Folkman cures five-year-old Jennifer with his invention. After a few weeks of treatment, Jennifer's fever subsides and the tumor on her head shrinks and disappears.