How Creative Is an Ant?
A very creative ant
Creativity is both philosophical and fundamental to human (and animal) development and innovation. Despite extensive research, we often fail to fully grasp its role in our evolution. This lack of appreciation is evident in the limited focus on creativity within the education system, but more on that later.
Creativity was a frequent topic of debate during my ballet undergrad. We questioned whether creativity thrives more with a toolkit of education, theories, and techniques, or in the absence of formal training.
My undergrad was evenly split between practical and theory lectures. Back then, we saw ourselves as creative in the studio and academic in the classroom. The topic of “creativity” surfaced again in my MBA a couple weeks ago. We explored how we defined creativity. In the 10 years between my undergrad and my masters, my views on creativity have evolved. I have more questions, and it feels like the right time to dive deeper into the theory of creativity, to critically assess my current perception of it.
So why question the creativity of an ant? You’ll find out as we detangle my downward spiral in the pursuit of understanding creativity once and for all.
What does creativity feel like to you?
Creativity to me feels like play. I lose myself in a state of flow where time flies, and it becomes a chance to unleash my imagination. But in difficult times, creativity becomes more than an expression. It becomes a tool for coping with anxiety, depression, and burnout. In the past I’ve described this as “therapeutic creativity.”
Creativity and mental wellbeing
Extensive research has been done on the link between creativity and mental health. Van Gogh has been the subject of many studies on how and if creativity is improved with depression or bipolar disorder. More recently, research has found we often even romanticise the “tortured artist” narrative. The relationship between creativity and mental health is not entirely straightforward. While some studies suggest that certain mental health conditions may enhance creative thinking by allowing individuals to see the world in unique ways, others highlight the detrimental effects of severe mental illness on the ability to function and produce creative work. For example, when one is stressed, it’s hard to find new ways to resolve problems. Most of us have our best ideas when our minds are at peace, such as in the shower or the middle of the night.
Creativity engages both the DMN (Default Mode Network) and ECN (Executive Control Network), allowing us to connect unrelated ideas and critically evaluate them. The DMN, in fosters daydreaming and self-reflection, and ECN promotes problem solving, adaptability and goal-oriented mindset.
But what about creativity having a direct impact on improving one’s mental wellbeing?
Creativity has been used in mental institutions as a non-verbal way to process difficult emotions, proving its effectiveness. Creative methods include art, music, journaling, and other forms of expression. These can help individuals process tough emotions in non-linear ways, contributing to a healthier mental state.
Creativity in schools
In Sir Ken Robinson’s TED Talk, he discusses how creativity is being “educated” out of kids. I was that kid in primary school—the one who asked too many questions and went on seemingly unrelated tangents in every creative assignment - as exhibited in this blog post. Wasn’t it about the creativity of ants? Huh.
Creativity requires a willingness to be wrong. The fear of mistakes stunts DMN engagement and therefore, the ability to think innovatively.
Multiple intelligences
At this point, I am still confused as to what exactly creativity is, so let’s break it down. There are many types of creativity: critical thinking, divergent thinking, artistic creativity, therapeutic creativity, individual or group creativity, problem solving. Howard Gardner’s theory of “multiple intelligences” expands the notion of creativity beyond being artistic or scientific. Gardner (1993) argues that different forms of intelligence, such as linguistic, logical-mathematical, and interpersonal, contribute to creativity in various fields. This broadens the scope of creativity to include diverse forms of human expression, from leadership to teaching.
This has been my confusion all along. Like many of us, I have been putting creativity in a single box, rather than considering it as an umbrella term that overarches a pyramid of processes.
I know what you’re thinking, what does any of this have to do with ants?! Don’t worry, we’re almost there…
Is creativity inherited?
One of my biggest questions around creativity is whether it is inherited or learnt. Niu & Sternberg have an answer; their research looked into whether identical twins share a more similar creative intelligence than non-identical twins. The research was unanimous, creativity is partly inherited, however there is a huge cultural factor to it as well.
The main difference between Western and Eastern creativity is that the west emphasise individualism and “creative geniuses”, whereas the east emulate a collective creativity, with a focus on harmony, balance, and the integration of ideas within existing traditions.
So what about the ants?
If creativity can be collective, as seen in some cultures, can ants be creative too? Well, they embody “collective intelligence”—working together to find food, build nests, and adapt to threats. But these systems rely on pre-programmed instinctive behaviours. At first glance, these systems could appear to resemble collective creativity, such as teamwork and problem-solving, however, sorry to disappoint (mostly me, I’ve disappointed myself), ants brains are simple and lack complex networks such as DMN and ECN, making creativity (as we know it) impossible.
There are, however, mammals that possess networks such as DMN and ECN. These include monkeys dolphins, elephants, octopuses, and parrots - essentially the animals we consider to be the most intelligent.
I wonder what ants would achieve if they had the ability to be creative? As one of the strongest “collective intelligent” species, surely they would find a super power in collective creativity.
The ultimate framework
Creativity follows a simple framework; thinking outside the box, reframing and connecting your current knowledge and finding new ideas. Then refining and critically analysing those ideas. Are they viable? Will they make a positive impact on the problem I am trying to solve?
Creativity drives evolution. It’s how man makes fire, man walks on the moon, apple makes iPhone. Creativity is inherently philosophical, yet tangible and evident in every area of humankind.
Richard Florida’s concept of the “creative class” suggests that regions with a high concentration of creative professionals have higher economic growth. Florida’s research suggests that environments that support creativity are crucial for both individual fulfilment and societal progress.
The umbrella term encompasses so many different aspects of creativity but can be simplified so easily. So why do schools have such an issue with grading creative thinking, or as society we struggle to understand the concept.
Conclusion
Creativity doesn’t have to be confined to the “tortured artist” or the “creative genius.” Sometimes, it’s about collaboration. True creativity emerges both in individual imagination and in the shared journey of creating something greater than ones’ self. So, the next time you’re stuck, maybe we can learn something from ants: sometimes innovation, success and creativity is in the small steps, finding your way together.
