內容簡介
Is the ability to creatively tackle problems innate or can it be learned? Like most human traits, both answers are correct. Some people are inherently more innovative than others. But, just like maths, or writing, everyone can improve with practice.
Tina Seelig, PhD teaches creativity every day in her courses on innovation at Stanford School of Engineering. After ten years of experience, she confidently asserts that not only can creativity be taught but that there are a clear set of tools, skills and approaches that can unlock anyone's creative potential. In InGenius, Seelig reminds us that creativity is not just something that you think about - it is something that you do. It is as natural as breathing, and just as necessary for leading a successful and fulfilling life. Creative solutions are required because the status quo is never good enough, and our goal should always be to push beyond the limits of what seems possible.
Great ideas are needed to solve all the problems we face and to enrich our lives. Whether it is in the conference room, classroom or kitchen, new ideas open up a world of wonderful possibilities. With the tools presented in this remarkable book, we will learn how to pull out all stops to take on the challenges, big and small, that come our way, and to see that every word, every idea, and every moment provides an opportunity for creativity that will enhance our lives.
InGenius is filled with concepts, tools, techniques and stories that reveal ways you can increase your creativity quotient, and that of your groups and organizations. The first half of the book focuses on the inside out - what you can personally do to increase your own creative aptitude and attitude. The second half deals with the outside in - how you can change the local and cultural environment to increase the creativity quotient of your community. InGenius reveals one of the great truths about ideas: it costs nothing to generate amazing ideas, and yet the results have the potential to be priceless.
——This text refers to the Paperback edition.
作者簡介
Tina Seelig has a Ph.D. in neuroscience from Stanford University Medical School.
She is the executive director of the Stanford Technology Ventures Program, the director of the National Center for Engineering Pathways to Innovation, and is the author of the international bestseller What I Wish I Knew When I Was 20. In 2009, Seelig was awarded the prestigious Gordon Prize from the National Academy of Engineering for her pioneering work in engineering education.
精彩書評
“Tina invites us inside her Stanford University course to reveal that we all have creative potential waiting to be unleashed.” (Ori Brafman, coauthor of Sway and Click )“In a world that’s in constant flux, creativity and innovation are essential qualities for successful executives and industry-leading companies.
Tina has shown that we all have the ability to mobilize our creative spirit.” (Chip Conley, Founder of Joie de Vivre Hospitality and Author of Emotional Equations )“Who said creativity can’t be taught? It can, and Tina Seelig has done it! She has created a new model, the Innovation Engine, that will change the way you think.” (Steve Blank, entreprenuer and author of The Startup Owners Manual )In this groundbreaking work, Tina has codified her years of teaching at Stanford and proves that anyone can be creative. (Nancy Duarte, CEO and author of Resonate )Tina has shattered the misconception that you can’t increase creativity.
In this book, she presents breakthrough ideas on how to understand and boost your ability to innovate. (Guy Kawasaki, author of Enchantment and former chief evangelist of Apple )Tina Seelig has written a provocative field guide to 21st century creativity, with her energy and enthusiasm bursting through on every page. We all could use a little extra spark of creativity, and this book helps show the way. (Tom Kelley, author of The Art of Innovation )
“Few people have done as much to champion innovative thinking as Tina Seelig.” (David Kelley, Founder IDEO )“Tina Seelig is one of the most creative and inspiring teachers at Stanford.” (Robert Sutton, Stanford University Professor and author The No-Asshole Rule )“Tina is the most inspirational creativity voice I know.” (Geoffrey Moore, Author, Crossing the Chasm, Dealing with Darwin )“Seelig is a sharp observer and a gentle and thoughtful writer.” (Miami Herald )“Tina Seelig has written a powerful and practical book, jam packed with keen insights for unleashing creativity in yourself and others.” (Peter Sims, author of Little Bets: How Breakthrough Ideas Emerge from Small Discoveries )“inGenius is a fascinating blueprint for any company that’s serious about creating an environment where new ideas can thrive, and many of Seelig’s students doubtless go on to do precisely that.” (Fortune Magazine )Seelig demonstrates that creativity and experimentation are both personal mindsets and values in organizations. inGenius acts as a spark plug for managers and entrepreneurs who want to capitalize on the creativity in their organizations. (Library Journal )
前言/序言
《思維的煉金術:探尋人類想象力的奧秘》 引言:看不見的疆域 人類心智的疆域,廣袤無垠,其中最令人著迷的莫過於“創造力”這一核心驅動力。它不是遙不可及的靈感閃現,而是深植於我們認知結構中的一種強大能力。本書並非旨在提供一套立竿見影的工具箱,教你如何“製造”齣驚世駭俗的作品,而是緻力於深入探究創造力本身——它的起源、運作機製、以及如何在日常生活中被係統性地培養和釋放。我們將穿越心理學、神經科學、哲學乃至藝術史的迷霧,描摹齣人類心智如何從既有元素中提煉齣全新價值的復雜過程。 第一部分:心智的構造與潛能 創造力的基石,首先在於我們如何感知和組織世界。本部分將從認知科學的角度,解構心智處理信息的基本模式。我們探討“心智模型”的形成,這些模型既是我們的認知框架,也可能成為創新的桎梏。 一、認知的雙重奏:係統一與係統二的交鋒 藉鑒當代決策理論的框架,我們細緻剖析大腦中兩種主要的思維模式——快速、直覺的係統一,以及緩慢、審慎的係統二。創造力的誕生往往發生在兩者的微妙平衡之中:係統一提供豐富的聯想和非邏輯的跳躍,而係統二負責評估、提煉和實現這些飛躍。本書將詳述如何訓練係統二去“捕捉”那些由係統一孕育的、稍縱即逝的洞察火花,並警惕過度依賴任何一方可能帶來的局限性。 二、記憶的重塑與聯想的編織 創造力並非憑空創造,而是對現有知識和經驗的重新排列組閤。我們深入探討“語義網絡”和“情景記憶”在創新中的角色。關鍵在於如何打破既有的知識壁壘,促進遠距離聯想(Distant Association)。我們將通過對人類學習機製的剖析,展示如何通過主動的知識涉獵和刻意的交叉學習(Interdisciplinary Learning),構建更龐大、更靈活的聯想圖譜,從而為“靈光乍現”準備更肥沃的土壤。 三、心流狀態的神經學基礎 “沉浸感”或“心流”,被公認為高效率創造的溫床。本章將不再停留在現象描述,而是追溯其背後的神經化學機製。我們分析在深度專注狀態下,前額葉皮層活動的變化,以及多巴胺係統在維持注意力和激發探索行為中的作用。理解心流的生理開關,能幫助我們設計齣更利於深度工作的環境和節奏。 第二部分:環境、文化與創造力的土壤 個體的潛力需要適宜的環境來激發。本部分將目光投嚮外部世界,審視社會結構、文化氛圍和物理空間如何塑造或抑製我們的創新能力。 四、摩擦與冗餘:安全與風險的辯證法 一個真正鼓勵創造力的環境,必須在“心理安全”與“必要的認知摩擦”之間找到平衡。我們研究為什麼“過度舒適”反而會扼殺探索欲。真正的突破往往需要在一定程度的不確定性和輕微的失敗風險中進行。本書探討瞭如何構建一個“容錯文化”,使得嘗試新事物的成本在心理上降至最低,從而鼓勵高風險、高迴報的思維實驗。 五、工具、媒介與錶達的約束 我們使用的工具和錶達的媒介,深刻地影響著我們的思維方式。從雕塑到編程語言,從文字到數字圖像,每一種工具都附帶著一套固有的邏輯和限製。我們將分析這些“技術約束”如何通過“反作用力”激發創造者尋找替代性的、非傳統的解決方案。這是一種“以退為進”的策略,即承認工具的局限性,並將其轉化為創意的催化劑。 六、跨界對話的力量:他者的視角 偉大的進步往往發生在學科的交界處。本部分側重於“異質性群體”的協作效能。我們分析瞭來自不同背景、持有不同世界觀的個體,如何通過觀點碰撞,打破“集體思維定勢”(Groupthink)。如何有效地引入“他者視角”進行批判性反饋,是實現從個人洞察到集體創新的關鍵路徑。 第三部分:創造力的實踐與精進 創造力並非一次性的爆發,而是一個需要持續維護和迭代的過程。本部分著眼於將理論轉化為可操作的日常習慣。 七、發散思維的陷阱與聚焦 傳統的創造力訓練常強調“頭腦風暴”的發散階段。然而,本書提齣,僅僅産生大量想法是不夠的。我們必須精通“創意篩選”和“概念深化”的技術。我們將引入結構化的評估框架,教導讀者如何區分“新穎性”(Novelty)與“價值性”(Utility),以及如何運用“逆嚮工程”的方法,從一個模糊的目標反推所需步驟。 八、原型製作的藝術:從概念到具象 許多想法在口頭錶達中顯得完美無缺,但在實際構建的早期階段便會瓦解。本章強調“快速、低保真”原型製作的重要性。這種實踐不僅是為瞭測試可行性,更重要的是,物理化的反饋循環能激活我們更深層次的感知係統,幫助我們發現隱藏的邏輯漏洞和未曾預料的應用場景。 九、創造者的耐力:應對“中間的低榖” 每一項重大創造都必然經曆一個漫長而艱苦的“中間低榖期”——此時初始的熱情已消退,而最終的成果尚未顯現。本書提供瞭一種關於“韌性”(Grit)的實踐性理解,它並非盲目的堅持,而是對目標進行階段性重定義和對過程進行精細化管理的結閤。我們探討瞭如何通過設置微小的、可實現的裏程碑,維持長期的內部驅動力,對抗創造過程中的倦怠和自我懷疑。 結語:創造力是選擇,而非天賦 最終,本書試圖傳遞一個核心觀點:創造力不是少數天纔擁有的魔法,而是一種可以通過理解、實踐和持續反思來培養的、人人可及的心智能力。它關乎我們如何選擇去觀察世界、如何選擇去組閤經驗,以及如何選擇去麵對未知的挑戰。釋放你的想象力,即是選擇一種更豐富、更具探索性的生存方式。