Solutions For A Creativity Crisis: A Look At Cuba’s Technological Disobedience

When you think of the ideal creative environment, what comes to mind?  We may imagine a place where you have freedom of expression, a place that encourages breaking convention, somewhere that is abundant in resources that are readily accessible for innovative development of technology, and exposure to many different cultures for inspiration and collaboration. So as you imagine this ultimate creative playground, does Cuba come to mind?

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Posted by Peter Wicks  on  01/28  at  05:58 AM

Great piece. Reminds us of the truth of the aphorism, "Necessity is the mother of invention."

I guess the next question is: how can this kind so creativity-inducing stress be engineered *without* the restriction of freedom and human suffering that goes with it.

This is where I think the self-help literature really does help: by encouraging us to move out of our comfort zones. In Cuba this has been imposed; how much better if we do so voluntarily.

Posted by Elgato21  on  01/30  at  11:45 AM

I mean really, when the choice is to innovate or starve, you will be surprised what kind of things a beaver can make with nothing but a good pair of chops. Why can't we thrive like that in a "free" consumer driven society like the USA ? he he, because we're too afraid of what neighbors will think and quite frankly too lazy to fix when it's easier to buy brand new. This will soon change in today's economy though. Time to invest in a good set of hand tools and dust off that auto repair manual. You will be surprised the sense of accomplishment you will get when you replace your first water pump or drive shaft.

Posted by Peter Wicks  on  01/30  at  03:12 PM

@Elgato21 Yep, you pretty much nailed it there.

Posted by curiousjohn  on  01/30  at  03:51 PM

Great piece! Makes me think about Adam Lashinsky's book Inside Apple and how Apple's company culture defies emergent insights into creative culture and innovation yet their success is accelerating... Like Cubans, Apple employees share an "innovate or die (be fired)" necessity...

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