Introduction
In "How to Fly a Horse," Kevin Ashton challenges the common misconceptions about creativity and innovation. He argues that creativity isn't a magical gift possessed by a select few geniuses, but rather a natural human ability that we all share. This book aims to demystify the creative process and show how anyone can tap into their innate creative potential.
Ashton takes readers on a journey through history, science, and personal anecdotes to reveal the true nature of creativity. He dismantles the myths surrounding great inventors and artists, showing that their achievements were not the result of sudden flashes of brilliance, but rather the product of hard work, persistence, and incremental progress.
The Myth of Genius
One of the central themes of the book is debunking the myth of the creative genius. Ashton argues that this widespread belief is not only false but also harmful, as it discourages many people from pursuing their creative potential.
Mozart: Not a Magical Prodigy
Ashton uses the example of Mozart to illustrate this point. Contrary to popular belief, Mozart didn't compose complete symphonies in his head before putting them to paper. This myth, perpetuated by romanticized accounts of his life, ignores the reality of his creative process. Like all creators, Mozart worked hard, made revisions, and built upon the work of those who came before him.
Archimedes: Thinking, Not Eureka
The author also examines the famous "Eureka" moment attributed to Archimedes. While the story of Archimedes jumping out of his bath and running naked through the streets shouting "Eureka!" is well-known, Ashton points out that this was not a sudden flash of inspiration. Instead, it was the result of careful thinking and problem-solving over an extended period.
The Nature of Creativity
Ashton argues that creativity is not a mysterious or magical process, but rather a natural human ability that we all possess.
Creativity as Problem-Solving
At its core, creativity is simply the process of thinking about how to overcome a problem. Ashton cites psychologist Karl Duncker's Box Experiment to illustrate this point. In this experiment, subjects were asked to attach a candle to a wooden door using only the candle, a book of matches, and a box of tacks. The study found that regardless of the solution chosen, people went through similar thought processes to arrive at their answers.
This experiment demonstrates that creativity is not about having unique mental abilities, but about engaging in a common problem-solving process that we all share.
The Myth of the Lone Creator
Another misconception Ashton addresses is the idea of the lone creator. He argues that no creation is entirely new or the product of a single person's work. Instead, every innovation builds upon the work of countless predecessors.
To illustrate this, Ashton tells the story of Edmond, a 12-year-old slave from La Réunion who is credited with discovering how to make vanilla pods self-pollinate. While Edmond's contribution was significant, it was only possible because of the knowledge passed down to him by his master, who in turn had learned from other botanists and naturalists.
This example shows how creativity is a cumulative process, with each innovation building upon and extending the work of those who came before.
The Creative Process
Ashton breaks down the creative process into several key components, emphasizing that it's a gradual, step-by-step journey rather than a sudden leap of inspiration.
Small Steps, Not Giant Leaps
The author uses the development of the iPhone as an example of how creation happens through incremental steps. Steve Jobs didn't conceive of the iPhone in a single moment of inspiration. Instead, he and his team worked through a series of problems and solutions:
- Problem: Clunky, hard-to-use keyboards on existing smartphones
- Solution: A big screen and a pointer
- Problem: What kind of pointer?
- Solution: A mouse
- Problem: No one wants to carry a mouse
- Solution: A stylus
- Problem: A stylus is easy to lose
- Solution: Use our fingers
This process of identifying problems and finding solutions, step by step, is at the heart of all creative work.
Inattentional Blindness
Ashton introduces the concept of inattentional blindness, which can hinder creativity. This phenomenon occurs when we miss important information because our attention is focused elsewhere. He cites a study where a clown on a unicycle rode down a street full of people busy with their phones. Surprisingly, only a small fraction of people noticed the clown.
This example illustrates how our preconceptions and focus can prevent us from seeing unexpected possibilities. To be truly creative, we need to open our minds and be aware of everything around us, not just what we expect to see.
The Role of Work and Failure
Ashton emphasizes that creativity requires hard work and the willingness to fail repeatedly.
The Importance of Hard Work
The author dispels the notion that great creations simply fall from the sky. He argues that achieving significant results requires putting in the hours and maintaining complete commitment. To illustrate this, he describes the rigorous daily routine of Igor Stravinsky, the renowned Russian composer. Stravinsky would work for ten hours each day, following a strict schedule of composing before lunch and orchestrating after lunch.
This example shows that even for highly creative individuals, consistent hard work is essential to producing great results.
Embracing Failure
Ashton stresses that failure is an inevitable part of the creative process. He uses the example of novelist Stephen King, who regularly discards hundreds of pages in his quest to produce a good book. This willingness to fail and start over is crucial for refining ideas and improving the final product.
The author also warns against the danger of ignoring failure, using the tragic story of Franz Reichelt. Despite evidence that his parachute design was flawed, Reichelt ignored both expert advice and his own data, leading to his fatal jump from the Eiffel Tower in 1912.
Creativity in Teams
While much of the book focuses on individual creativity, Ashton also discusses how to foster creativity in group settings.
The Power of Small Teams
Ashton argues that small, highly motivated groups are ideal for creative projects. He suggests that teams of two are particularly effective, citing the example of Trey Parker and Matt Stone, creators of South Park. Their process involves identifying and solving problems together, then working individually on specific tasks.
Overcoming Organizational Barriers
The author acknowledges that many organizations inadvertently stifle creativity by prioritizing stability over innovation. However, he also highlights companies that actively encourage creative thinking.
The "Show Me" Approach
Ashton introduces the "show me" approach as a way to bring novel ideas to the forefront in organizational settings. This method involves demonstrating ideas rather than simply describing them, giving people the opportunity to immediately test and refine their concepts.
He illustrates this with the story of Clarence "Kelly" Johnson at Lockheed, who as a newcomer, boldly declared that a new airplane design was flawed. When his boss said, "Show me," Johnson improved the design, leading to the creation of America's first jet fighter.
The Cumulative Nature of Creation
Throughout the book, Ashton emphasizes that all creations build upon previous innovations, forming a long chain of human ingenuity.
Standing on the Shoulders of Giants
The author argues that every creator, no matter how innovative, relies on the work of countless predecessors. He uses the development of Coca-Cola as an example, tracing its evolution from a bottled patent medicine to a canned refreshment. This process solved many problems but also created new ones, such as health concerns and environmental issues.
The Ongoing Cycle of Innovation
Ashton points out that each new creation not only solves existing problems but also presents new challenges. For instance, the widespread use of aluminum cans for beverages led to waste management issues, which in turn spurred innovations in recycling technology.
This ongoing cycle of problem-solving and innovation demonstrates how creativity is a continuous process, with each generation building upon and extending the work of those who came before.
Practical Advice for Fostering Creativity
Throughout the book, Ashton offers practical advice for nurturing creativity in ourselves and others.
Embrace Unconventional Ideas
The author encourages readers to not dismiss ideas that seem too "wacky" or unconventional. He cites the example of Judah Folkman, who revolutionized cancer therapy with his initially rejected thesis that tumors were created within the patient's own blood supply. This story illustrates the importance of giving serious consideration to ideas that challenge established thinking.
Cultivate Curiosity
Ashton emphasizes the importance of maintaining a curious mindset. By constantly questioning the world around us and seeking to understand how things work, we open ourselves up to new possibilities and potential innovations.
Practice Persistence
The book stresses the importance of persistence in the face of failure and rejection. Ashton encourages readers to view setbacks as learning opportunities and to keep pushing forward with their ideas, even when faced with initial skepticism or failure.
Create a Supportive Environment
For those in leadership positions, Ashton advises creating an environment that supports and encourages creativity. This includes fostering open communication, allowing time for experimentation, and valuing diverse perspectives.
Conclusion: Unleashing Your Creative Potential
In concluding "How to Fly a Horse," Kevin Ashton reiterates his central message: creativity is not a magical gift bestowed upon a chosen few, but a natural human ability that we all possess. By understanding the true nature of creativity – as a process of incremental problem-solving, built upon the work of countless predecessors – we can all tap into our creative potential.
The author encourages readers to embrace their innate creativity, to work hard, to persist in the face of failure, and to build upon the ideas of others. He reminds us that every great creation, from the wheel to the smartphone, came about through this process of gradual innovation and problem-solving.
Ashton's book serves as both an inspiration and a practical guide for anyone looking to unleash their creative potential. By demystifying the creative process and providing concrete examples and strategies, "How to Fly a Horse" empowers readers to approach problems with confidence and creativity.
The title of the book, "How to Fly a Horse," is itself a metaphor for the creative process. It suggests that even seemingly impossible tasks can be achieved through careful thinking, hard work, and a willingness to build upon the ideas of others. Just as no one person invented the ability to fly, no single creator works in isolation. We are all part of a grand tradition of human ingenuity and problem-solving.
In essence, Ashton's book is a call to action. It challenges readers to reject the limiting belief that creativity is beyond their reach and instead embrace their innate ability to innovate and create. By understanding that creativity is a skill that can be developed and honed, rather than a rare and mystical talent, we open ourselves up to a world of possibilities.
The book leaves us with a powerful message: we are all creators, capable of contributing to the ongoing story of human innovation. Whether we're solving everyday problems or tackling grand challenges, we all have the potential to make meaningful contributions. All it takes is the willingness to think, to work, to fail, and to keep trying.
In a world that increasingly values innovation and creative problem-solving, "How to Fly a Horse" provides a refreshing and empowering perspective on creativity. It reminds us that the next great idea could come from anyone – including ourselves – if we're willing to engage in the process of creation.