18. Scan the text “Creativity in Science.” and summarise it.

One of the things which separates humans from other animals is the ability to learn from our predecessors. Our knowledge increases because we stand on the shoulders of others who have gone before us. Creativity does not occur in a vacuum. It is usually fuelled by studying what other scientists have done. For example, when Newton proposed that gravity in the solar system was the same type of force as gravity on the earth, this concept was an extension of the work of Galileo concerning shadows on the moon.

Two of the ways in which the structure of a city can be described are by an aerial photograph and by a road map. The road map, with major roads shown in different colours from minor roads and with a network of connections, is much more useful than an aerial photograph as a guide for travelling around the city. Our scientific knowledge contains a vast array of observations and theories. To travel intelligently through the world of science, it is necessary to make connections, like the road map.

Creative scientists frequently make connections which other scientists have not made before. Making these sorts of unusual connections is sometimes called lateral thinking, and this underlies many creative discoveries. Studies support the theory that creativity is the ability to use different modes of thought (analytical, intuitive, verbal, emotional). Part of creativity is making new things, having original ideas. Another part of creativity is making new combinations of existing things and old ideas. Some people have more innate potential to be creative than others but experts insist it is a skill that can – and should – be fostered. Creative effort can make life brighter.

Here are some creativity strategies:

a) understand and define the problem

b) relax, put yourself in a playful, humorous mood

c) generate several alternatives before passing any judgment on ideas

d) combine existing elements in a new way

e) fantasize: go through word association exercises

f) use analogy: find out how a similar problem is solved in nature or some other aspect of life

g) engage both the conscious and subconscious parts of the brain

h) do not quash anybody’s creative flashes.

19. Exercise your creativity and practice asking correct questions finding out what these stories are really about. (You can check your solution in unit VI).

A. A man with a pack on his back went into a field and died.

B. The telephone rang in the middle of the night and the woman woke up; when she answered it the caller hung up; the caller felt better.

C. A man walked into a bar in Texas: he asked for a glass of water. The barman pointed his gun at him. The man said, “thank you” and walked out.

Laugh-a-bits

20. A. Here is a simple trick to try next time you are waiting for a teacher to come into the room.

If possible, get the whole class prepared beforehand; otherwise get as many of the people around you in the act as you can. Wait until the teacher has come in, then, one by one, until everyone is doing it, look up at the ceiling. Pretend you have seen something amazing there. Study it carefully. Your teacher will start to look up too, and be puzzled as to what you can all see. This is a very old trick, but it never fails to work, even on teachers who have seen it many times before.

B. Good and Bad

Student: What can you say about a man, who is respected by the whole village?

Confucius: This is a miserable man.

Student: And what can you say about a man who is hated by the whole village?

Confucius: He is also miserable. It would be better, if he were respected by good people of the village and hated by the bad ones.

Follow-up Activities