Einstein Was A Creative.

One of my favorite book genres is biographies. I like to read them to understand how great people approach(ed) problems, ideas or tribulations as they progress in their life and work. For me, it helps frame similar challenges I may have as we can often find solace and learn how others came to challenge and solve them. I have recently read about Napoleon, Jim Thorpe, and Mark Messier and am in Walter Isaacson’s tome on Einstein. I'd be remiss not to mention Robert Greene and how he approaches his writing using historical figures and stories to prove his leadership points.

Albert Einstein's genius is often attributed to his scientific achievements, this is how I always perceived the zany-maned scientist, but his creativity and imagination set him apart from his contemporaries and have kept him in our general consciousness long after his death. In his 2007 biography of Einstein that I am now reading, Walter Isaacson delves into the role of creativity in Einstein's life and how his rebellious nature and unique perspective drove his innovation. I’ve been digging into this biography as my coach, Klaus Boettcher , has referenced his mindset and thinking in our work and his approach connected with me. I was unaware of Einstein’s blend of right/left brain thinking, and noticing it as a trend in this biography intrigued me, so I thought I would share it with the SOTG nation.

Throughout the book (and others), Einstein's appreciation for creativity and imagination is evident in his words. He once said, "Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution." This quote exemplifies imagination's central role in Einstein's approach to science and problem-solving. He recognized that while knowledge is essential, imagination allows us to go beyond the limits of what we know and develop new ideas and theories. Almost like he was saying that anyone can have intelligence, the key to real greatness is organizing seemingly disparate objects and facts to create a theory that goes beyond the linear explanation – an idea. I apply this to the advertising industry, we are constantly arranging and re-arranging ideas, stories, technologies, and platforms into new combinations to create a powerful, big idea that drives a brand.

From an early age, Einstein was known for his unconventional thinking and rebellious attitude, which I felt a kinship with. Isaacson writes that Einstein was "a rebel from his earliest days," questioning authority and challenging traditional thinking. As a student, he often challenged his teachers and even dropped out of high school. This non-conformist attitude carried into his adult life and became one of the hallmarks of his character. He once wrote, "Blind respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth." I relate to this sentiment, although not a complete rebel, I know that often, an entire industry can follow the herd rather than try to find a new way to solve old problems. These people are often seen as outcasts, especially if they disrespectfully approach their rebellious nature. I think about Steve Jobs and why he often comes up in this regard. He understood that things could be improved, and it required a level of passion and the ability to see things others can’t do differently.

In another quote, Einstein stated, "The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination." This sentiment reflects his belief that intelligence is not just about accumulating information but also about using that information creatively to develop new ideas and solutions. The superpower of pattern recognition is real. In the movie A Beautiful Mind, we saw this play out when John Nash is solving cryptography. Einstein recognized that imagination and creativity were essential in driving progress and innovation, not just in science but in all life aspects. Einstein's creativity and imagination were crucial in developing new ideas and theories. He had a unique perspective on the world, allowing him to visualize complex concepts in a way few others could. Isaacson writes, "Einstein's imagination was one of his greatest assets. He could visualize complex concepts in a way that few others could." This allowed him to develop theories that were not only groundbreaking but also intuitive and accessible to those outside the scientific community. To me, this is real genius; taking highly complex topics and breaking them down so people can understand and apply them. Maybe this is why I like Andrew Huberman’s podcast, the Huberman Lab, he breaks down neuroscience concepts in a way that a layperson can comprehend.

One of the ways that Einstein demonstrated his creativity was through his use of thought experiments. These were hypothetical scenarios that he used to explore and develop new ideas. For example, he used a thought experiment to demonstrate the theory of relativity, imagining a man standing on a train and observing the behavior of light. This creative approach to problem-solving allowed him to develop new theories and concepts that went beyond the limits of traditional scientific thinking. Another example of Einstein's creativity was his ability to make connections between seemingly unrelated concepts. This skill allowed him to develop new theories and ideas that others had yet to consider. For example, his theory of special relativity was based on the idea that the laws of physics should be the same for all observers, regardless of their relative motion. This concept came from his work in electromagnetism, which had previously been considered unrelated to the study of space and time.

Einstein's creativity and imagination were not just limited to science. He was an accomplished musician and often credited his love of music with helping him to develop his scientific ideas. In a letter to a friend, he once wrote, "If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think of music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music." ?I connect with this approach, he immersed himself in Mozart, and I go deep into Metallica or U2 when I need to think and solve a problem. Is it surprising that this incredible mind also liked complex music that had mathematic algorithms to its art?

Einstein's intelligence and scientific achievements were crucial to his success and fame, but his rebellious nature, creativity, and unique perspective set him apart. His ability to approach problems from a unique perspective, make connections between seemingly unrelated concepts, and visualize complex concepts was essential in his discoveries and theories. As we continue being inspired Einstein's legacy, we should remember the importance of imagination and creativity in driving innovation and progress, especially those of us in the creative business. And, at a time where complexity in advertising and marketing is at an all-time high – pattern recognition, creative problem solving and the acceptance of radical new ideas are a priority in driving ahead our industries.

I hope our children will remain mesmerized by their imaginations and tap their creativity with things like Crayola, Legos, writing and other pursuits outside of social media and their phones. For sure, there are elements of creativity on these platforms as I watch my 15-year-old daughter conceive and shoot short-form videos for TikTok, her level of imagination continues to amaze me. But I also see her ability to draw and think of new ideas. I hope that we never lose this child-like wonder of creativity at any age, even mine.