In other words, creativity is equal to infinity minus the area of a defined circle of what's working. Note: pie R squared is the geometric formula for calculating the area of a circle; where pie is 3.142 rounded to the nearest thousandth, and R is a circle's radius (the length from a circle's center to edge).

Now consider a Theory of Knowledge: "Inside a circle is knowledge; outside the circle is lack of knowledge. As the circle of knowledge expands, so does its perimeter, thereby increasing lack of knowledge." Hence confirming the expression, "The more I know, the more I know I don't know." Note: the Theory of Knowledge is perhaps also referred to as the Theory of Learning and/or the Theory of Viewpoint; some have attributed it to Einstein, yet the Einstein Archives in Israel do not, although his other quotes surround it.

Creativity extends beyond that which is known at a given data point. So again, we visit the circle: "Inside are all the things that we know to work and outside are all the things that could make it work better."

Within circles of knowing, we find: What we know; what we know we don't know; and things we don't even know that we don't even know about. Which brings us to contemporary astrophysics theories about living in a perpetually expanding universe (i.e., infinity).

Infinity suggests that no matter what is working, there are always things outside, on an absolute level, including the things we don't know that we don't even know about, that can be tapped into to help make the known circle work better.

Working better does not have to be a relative term, and later in this document, we'll discuss quantification terms (e.g., bench marking) which help maintain focus on absolute creative development versus relative (e.g., belief, ego, opinion).

Knowledge of the above formula only goes so far without the Creative Compass, a four pronged wheel with directions that objectively spin us into perpetual creative ways of making that which is known work better.

Akin to continuous improvement models of process re-engineering, the four directions of the Creative Compass include (DETA):

• Define What Works
• Explore How to Make it Work Better
• Take Action
• Analyze Results for New Knowledge
  - Repeat the loop into infinity thereby expanding a known circle of what works with that which makes it work better.

The "so what" is anybody can go beyond a circle of knowing into the creative unknown with the Creative Compass as our guide, and know that, wherever we are, fertile territory always awaits.

If we think Chuck's creative formula and compass are simple, then consider Einstein's thoughts about how beauty lies in the simplistic: "When the solution is simple," he said, "God is answering."

Interestingly enough, it was a compass that reportedly spurred Einstein onto his path of lifelong discovery. When five years old and sick in bed, his father presented the compass as a gift to spur young Albert's intellect. Albert was amazed with wonder as he tried to fool the compass, but each time the needle would always find its way to true magnetic north. Thus the invisible force that guided his compass needle was evidence that there is more to our world than meets the eye, "something behind things, something deeply hidden."

And then there is the challenge to pursue the great ideas into infinity by Mortimer J. Adler with these words from his classic book, Reforming Education, the Opening of the American Mind:

"We often think of ourselves as living in a world which no longer has any unexplored frontiers. We speak of pioneering as a thing of the past. But in doing so we forget that the greatest adventure of all still challenges us - what Mr. Justice Holmes called 'the adventure of the human mind.' Men may be hemmed in geographically, but every generation stands on the frontiers of the mind. In the world of ideas, there is always pioneering to be done, and it can be done by anyone who will use the equipment with which he is endowed. The great ideas belong to everyone."

Accordingly, Absolute Unlimited Creativity is about pioneering beyond our knowledge into perpetual frontiers of making that which we choose work better.   top