On Feb. 2, Srinath wrote:
>"It is hard to *teach* innovation. Some people seem to have it and some
>dosen't seem to have it. However, a key aspect to innovation is
>interaction. Innovative ideas seem to emerge from interacting with others
>with different (even conflicting) viewpoints. Hence it is imperative that
>students (even professionals) subject their notions to different
>viewpoints and contexts for implementing sound technologies..."
This posting and the previous one on Creativity by Simon brought me back
from the listserve dead! Moving house, job, and operating system all
contributed to an absence from this group. Over the past few months, I
have been making connections between Social Network Analysis and
Creativity. I had been developing a training model for creativity based on
theatrical improvisation and sociometry for the past year. Luckily, back
in Oct. of '97, Marco Pellegatti posted a reference to network density and
the LO and two writings on the subject of social network analysis(LO
15486). This opened up the whole field of network analysis to me, which
turns out to be the grown up version of sociometry.
[Host's Note: Rich, welcome back!]
There are some interesting connections between creativity/innovation and
network structure. In particular, a classic paper by Mark Granovetter,
"The Stregnth of Weak Ties" speaks to the kind of network structure that
is conducive to creativity. Another source is by Thomas Valente, "Network
Models of the Diffusion of Innovation." In addition to its relationship to
Creativity, I'm fascinated with network analysis' relevance to knowledge
creation/management. If you start with the assumption that knowledge
creation is a socially constructed process, then being able to 'see' and
strategically organize the social network of an organization becomes a hot
prospect.
Another interesting connection is Capra's book, "The Web of Life." In it
he lays out the foundations of Complexity theory. His principle thesis is
that the 'network' is the organizational structure that is most conducive
to understanding the process of life. On p.82, he writes," Whenever we
encounter living systems - organisms, parts of organisms, or communities
of organisms - we can observe that their components are arranged in a
network fashion. Whenever we look at life, we look at networks."
For me, there is a fascinating pattern that connects: Creativity as the
fundamental life force,with social networks as the structural basis for
creativity. I see both Creativity and social network formation, as
fundamentally emergent, self organized processes. Theatrical Improvisation
occurs as a socially constructed reality spontaneously self-organizes out
of the void of the empty stage. Using their full array of mind/body/spirit
resources, the players collaboratively bring forth a new or novel reality
that is coherent and sustainable as a story = Creativity. The shape of the
social network emerges and provides the container for Creativity. For me,
developing a process that synergizes Creativity and social network
formation is the real challenge. I wonder if others find these connections
interesting? ........ another order of question is 'do you think it is
worth trying to 'train' for Creativity?'
Rich DiNapoli
dinapoli@nh.ultranet.com
--dinapoli <dinapoli@nh.ultranet.com>
Learning-org -- Hosted by Rick Karash <rkarash@karash.com> Public Dialog on Learning Organizations -- <http://www.learning-org.com>