FOSTERING SOCIETAL CHANGE THROUGH CREATIVE IDEAS

2nd Prize Winner of Arise And Achieve #AAA# Essay Competition 2021

PREAMBLE:

Karl Marx, a sociologist in his scientific study of the society once said, the philosophers have only interpreted the world in various ways. The point however is to change it. Ab initio, the society, ranging from ancient and primitive times till date, has been continuously undergoing series of metamorphosis in order to combat various challenges and hurdles of life. It is quite breath taking that the society has advanced so enormously in science and technology in such a way that if past heroes, legends, patriarchs and ancient men could rise from the dead, it would leave them in total awe and shock.

Imagine the countenance and feeling of an ancient man like Socrates for example when he gazes on our world today. Wouldn’t he be amazed and astounded at such a great feat we have achieved? Wouldn’t he marvel at such speed technology could solve our problems; that which they once faced in their days? He could never have imagined this would eventually happen in years to come even if a prophet prophesied.

But in concrete reality, it is happening and more pleasant surprise packages awaits us in the nearest future because all these improvements and changes were possible and are still possible due to the power and might of creative reasoning and ideas.

According to the famous idealist philosopher Plato, we all have innate knowledge of what is ultimately real, true and of intrinsic value and since on entering this physical world, we seem to have forgotten all these, we can only recover them through the process of recollection  (William F. Lawhead, Voyage of Discovery) These positive and outstanding results of this recollection process are what we call creative ideas which when applied to the society fosters rapid societal change with time.

Even with all its advanced technology, the world faces many challenges today, ranging from health crises and climate change, to political and social turmoil and over population, critical issues that require the knowledge and resources of creative ideas. This article therefore is here to guide us through ways we can combat this challenges and nurture societal change through creative ideas.

THE ULTIMATE POWER OF IDEALISTIC CREATIVITY

Probably, you might have been acquainted with this popular saying that Ideas rule the world. Yes! This peculiar phrase is not in any way for from reality. One in his unconsciousness might be quick to rebel against this with the assertion that the term ‘creative’ or ‘positive’ should go along with it hence saying ‘creative ideas rule the world.’ That would be ignorance to say such because both positive and negative ideas dominate and give the world (society) a drastic change as long as it is applied.

Indeed, ideas have catalytic power to change the world. They are leaders of social evolution. Evolutionary developments in science, religion, art have their root mental ideas that later realize themselves through physical acts. Ideas release the human energy of the collective. That energy is directed into a force of action and then becomes effective when it is organized by society. Thus, society is a living organization.

History is replete with examples of how major events such as French, Russian and American Revolutions, India’s call for independence, the emergence of Capitalism and Communism etc. the process of observation generates creative ideas. When these ideas are implemented, they lead to change which is seen as a form of progress. Such an observation of life, if thorough, leads to the discovery of the laws of life. Using this knowledge, man is able to command life and make it behave the way he wants.

Such a command over life equipped man to launch technological revolutions using coal, steam, electricity and electronics(Ashok Natarajan, Fellow, World Academy of Art and Science; Secretary, MSS). Thus, even though ideas are like two sides of the coin, yet creative ideas have imprinted more blessings than harm on mankind. That evolution takes place from time to time.

NURTURING CRAETIVE IDEAS

Today in our society, creativity of the mind and innovation are the propelling forces behind every booming societal economy. However, unfortunately, in our schools that are meant to be nursery beds of future leaders with innovation, students graduate without knowing how to sit down, observe, create and innovate and consequently, they will be taken unawares of the challenges that await them out there due to the crisis that our economy is facing. Author Richard Floriden stresses the growing importance of creativity; I call the age we are entering the creative age because the key factor propelling us forward is the rise of creativity as the primary mover of our economy.

It is quite regrettable to note that in today’s world of global competition and complex, creativity and innovative capacity are fast becoming requirements for personal and professional success. A leading thinker on creativity, Kenneth Robinson, has declared that, Creativity is as important in education as literacy and we should treat it with the same status.

If one possesses this creativity in him or her, he will be able to soar higher over the short comings and flaws of our society’s economy both in the area of employment or even wages. Sole possession of this skill and applying them not only boost his financial status and popularity amidst a competitive world but also upgrades and launches the society into another level of change. Just like the many inventors of different gadgets of science and technology, who through their powerful creative thinking influenced mankind while upgrading their stats without relying on the society to do so.

Therefore, if the society must get better, we must make hay while the sun shines for the way we dress our beds, so we lie on it. Educational system curriculum should be reviewed the course of how to teach them creativity and innovative thinking. This should be introduced to make them solely independent when they are finally men and women of their own. Our challenge hence should actually be how to foster the creative intelligence, not only for creative elite, but to spread this ability throughout our society lest it crumbles.

ERASING THE STEREOTYPE OF CREATIVITY

In order to foster this creativity, the first thing we must do is to erase in our minds the stereotype that creativity is a talent that only a few persons possess. This is error as we are all born with great creative skills and imaginations. It exists in all children and parents see evidence of this capacity everyday in their lives; the way they act, think, talk and even react to things around them. This creativity allows us to imagine, that allows us to shape things that do not exist and what we have never experienced.

It allows us to rise by hypotheses, conjecture, to see new possibilities and to speculate. So therefore, one needn’t be brilliant in class to possess this skill for even a dullard tomorrow can turn out to be an innovative thinker with wealth and fame as seen in the very case of Bill Gates, the inventor of Microsoft program.

Another is the stereotype that associates creativity as something only related to certain disciplines such as arts, design and advertising. In fact, in today’s professional world, people are required to employ creative thinking foe self improvement and innovation within an ever changing global economy (Joan Vinyets, author of people-centered innovation).

CONCLUSION

The late George Bernard Shaw, Irish Playwright and co-founder of London School of Economics once said, progress is impossible without change. And those who cannot change, their minds cannot change anything. If there must exist a cycle of positive change in the society and its economy, it wouldn’t be anything less wise to first and foremost, rear up massive creative thinkers, for the mind is an evolutionary instrument that needs the social support of an institution to solidify itself. We have to encourage our governments and education agents to consider how their educations systems incorporate ‘right brain’ (creative) approaches to teaching and learning into the education praxis.

These future critical thinkers are indeed the source of solutions to future societal challenges. They are likened to be the future ‘Noah’s Ark’ which will be used if we start now to build them well, to escape through the storms and hurdles of that time. The society only declines and get older if foolishness and shallow thinking get bolder. Therefore, we must commence on time to train them for indeed we need wise men that can lead our country to our promised dream land in a boat of creativity amidst the sea of challenges, men who are foresighted to sight ahead pending dangers and evade them.

Socrates a famous philosopher once quoted, strong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, and weak minds discuss people. With these creative ideas coated in strong minds like Socrates says, can we able to take a first bold step towards fostering a better society, a paradise where all can dwell happily.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ezendu Emmanuel Okechukwu is a young vibrant native youth  of Umuezeala, Uba Umuaka, Orlu in Njaba LGA in Imo State, Nigeria. He is currently doing his philosophical studies at Seat of Wisdom Seminary, Owerri, Imo state in Nigeria affliated to the Pontifical Urban University, Rome and Imo State University. Accepting writing as one of his passions and hobbies, he hopes to use the pen as a weapon to impact positively to the society. He also specializes in all genres of literature; prose or fiction, poetry, articles etc.