The beer can theory of creativity

摘要: In lieu of abstract (since it is a book chapter) I provide the outline and introduction. OUTLINE 1. Introduction 2. Culture as an Evolutionary Process Variation Selection in Biology Is More than One Mind Necessary for Ideas to Evolve? Meme Variations: A Computer Model Cultural Evolution Dampening Arbitrary Associations Strengthening Meaningful Ones Chaos, Order, Connectivity, Information 3. Creativity Origin Theoretical Evidence from Animal Behavior Archeological What Caused Onset Creativity? 4. The Cognitive Architecture Underlying Conceptual Fluidity Evoking Memory Contextual, Reconstructive Defocused Attention Flat Associative Hierarchies Inkling? Pre-Inkling Courtship 5. Crystallization Creative Idea Drive To Unify or Reconcile Creations Mirrors that Reflect Reinforce Self Variable Crux Potential Annealing on New Worldview Gestation Birth: From Inkling Insight 6. Closing Thoughts INTRODUCTION had laugh this morning while reading Ottawa Citizen when saw crafty yet bafflingly incompetent vandal described "He's got full six pack, but plastic thingy holds them together missing". It's spin-off saying one can short pack", which itself Canadianized version lost few marbles" not playing with deck". Not only does newspaper description beautifully exemplify main issues chapter-the interplay variation continuity creative insight adapted context circumstance another. But content-wise, it's pithy summary another, related issue dealt here: order adapt idea new context, evolve directions, must originally have been stored memory way implicitly identifies its relationships other ideas. words, comes creativity, how your 'beer cans' are connected important many there are. This chapter explores cognitive mechanisms underlying emergence evolution cultural novelty. Section Two summarizes rationale viewing process by fruits mind take shape they spread individual another form evolution, briefly discusses computer model process. Three presents theoretical empirical evidence sudden proliferation human culture approximately two million years ago began capacity creativity-that is, ability generate novelty strategically contextually. next sections closer look at Four examines fluid, associative thought constitutes inspirational component creativity. Five initial flicker inspiration crystallizes into solid, workable gets mulled over light various constraints affordances world will be born. Finally, Six wraps things up speculative thoughts about overall unfolding evolutionary