Theory of Creativity

[August 2006 - HOW magazine] What can an economist teach us about creativity? Turns out, plenty. In his new book "Old Masters and Young Geniuses: The Two Life Cycles of Artistic Creativity," noted economics professor David Galenson argues that there are two distinct creative types that employ two fundamentally different approaches to artistic innovation. He posits that experimental innovators (old masters) work by trial and error and make their major contributions late in their careers, while conceptual innovators (young geniuses) have flashes of brilliance and enjoy artistic breakthroughs at young ages. Which type of creative are you? Read HOW’s Q&A with Galenson to see where you fit in his theory of creativity. More