I recently read an incredible study that focused on divergent thinking as we progress through life. Divergent thinking is original and creative thinking. It’s thinking outside the box. The study found:
98 percent of children between the ages of three and five scored in the genius category for divergent thinking. Between the ages of two and ten, that number drops to 32 percent. By the time the kids become teenagers, it drops to 10 percent. And only 2 percent of those by the age of 25 scored in the genius category for divergent thinking.
WOW. Pretty interesting results. Gordon Mackenzie, in his book, Orbiting the Giant Hairball, talks about a situation he faced when speaking at schools. He would ask various age groups a question, “How many of you are artists?” In first grade, all of the kids would jump from their seats and wave their arms wildly with excitement. Every child was an artist. Second grade: half the kids would raise their hands, but would do so calmly. Third: only one third of them. And so on through the grades. By sixth grade, only one or two kids would raise their hands. Their eyes would glance side to side uneasily worried about being identified as a closet artist and what others would think.
What happened? Where did our creativity go? And further, why? When we were kids, the world was open and anything was possible. We all wanted to become astronauts, artists, superheroes and start businesses doing what we loved. Somewhere along the way, something changed. When did our great dreams change to sitting behind a desk in a cubicle doing work we hated, with people we hated, for people we hated?
What is happening here? What sinister forces are suppressing the creative genius inside each of us? Do you think that this might have something to do with why people don’t follow their dreams? I would love to know your thoughts on this! Please comment. I’ll be posting my thoughts in my next post!
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Do you remember that kid in high school you just flat out disliked because they made straight A’s? You know the one that was always writing the best papers and making all the intelligent observations. I remember him perfectly. Lets call them Jim. Jim always went above and beyond, always asking questions and making statements that would make the class longer and not let out on time. Frankly, Jim annoyed the majority of the class, including myself. I remember people saying things like: “Way to blow the curve, asshole.” They gave ole Jim a rough time for his intelligence. Eventually, Jim quit doing so well in school. I guess it was easier to not do as well and fit in, than to do great work and get made fun of for it. It was so silly, but Jim downplayed his talent. He allowed the world to mold him into less than he could become. 
