“Popcorn”: A Model (Ongoing Creative Insights)

Abstract

In this chapter, "popcorn" is used as a model for a dynamic process of creation. In ongoing creativity, we generate and work with a series of sudden insights. Overall, things may go well (or not), yet each instant in itself is unpredictable. As with popcorn, we can raise the odds of an event, on the average at least-here, a sudden Aha!-by turning the heat up. We figuratively warm up the system with various maneuvers, including the group process of brainstorming, and individually-practiced divergent thinking tasks, while also looking at facilitating (or deadening) conditions. We seek at best a metaphoric (or actual) edge-of-chaos, a place in phase space where creativity may particularly flow. In effect we are "in the zone." We seek a delicate balance of qualities and conditions to help us optimize our creativity.