Creativity: Blocked by a Wall We Created

     With an increasing highlight on technology, critics say there is a creativity crisis in schools. The emphasis on standardized testing and the technology that surround schools is seeming to leech the imagination out of children, while in the summer, children flourish with creativity. The question now is if creativity is truly endangered if children are able to bounce back, but are adults able to do the same? Creativity seems to be diminishing, but what is the reason?
     Susan Linn believes that the large commercial culture is mainly at fault for the drain of creativity. She suggests that increased flexibility with end products will increase the creative stimulation in children. Linn states that the essentials for creativity are time, space, and silence, which are definitely difficult to find around town for either children or adults.
     Richard Florida has taken a position that states that creativity is not in danger. Rather, Florida thinks that it is blocked. Although it is blocked, creativity still appears to be in great abundance. He states that the greates foster of creativity is other creative people, and in  a way, I agree.
     I can reason with both arguments from Florida and Linn. While Linn argues that cretivity is endangered by the lack of natural space to be able to think peacefully, Florida says that the best way to keep creativity from becoming blocked is to surround ourselves with other creative people. I think that both arguments are valid, and in a way, they work together. unique and origional creativity can be a product of an environment where the mind is at ease, but influence and great inspiration to go beyond the realm of personal comfort with creativity can come from the ideas of others. So, in thi way, Creativity is not completely endangered, rather blocked by social and environmental walls we have created ourselves.

Hannah Rockwood