HOW GREAT IDEAS HAPPEN

A cognitive scientist consolidates insights into creativity in a manual to achieve great ideas.

Newman, who teaches at the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, has written an accessible and entertaining book that uproots the belief that great ideas stem from “innate talent reserved for the chosen few.” Breakthrough perspectives don’t exist in “some distant, elusive realm,” observes Newman, but are right in front of us, if we’re prepared to harness the conceptual tools, which are shared with clarity, evidence, positive energy, and actionable steps. The narrative is structured by archeology analogies: surveying, gridding, digging, and sifting. With a light deftness, the author moves through these enlightening sections and takes his own medicine by systematically, and with many reiterations, expressing each facet of the creative challenge. Sprinkled throughout the book are examples of cutting-edge research, pop-culture nuggets, and brief stories of artistic processes. Newman spares no aspect of human creation in his research, writing about Einstein’s path to his theory of relativity (embrace uncomfortable abstraction), Karen Wynn Fonstad’s mapping of Middle-earth, Björk’s musical journey, the composition of K-Pop songs, and Jordan Peele rewriting Get Out more than 400 times. He moves smoothly across painting, music, movies, cooking, writing, business, and his own life, and he gives guidance on how creatives should use AI. Although some lessons may seem obvious to those familiar with creative literature, and though some of the exercises may seem repetitive or contrived, Newman writes so efficiently and skillfully that this comprehensive work is a pleasure to read. Clever phrases and concepts such as “Burn the cabin down” and “The wisdom of grumpy Yoda” will stay with you and help you produce original work.

A refreshing exploration of creativity that’s expansive in cultural scope and packed with concrete exercises.