Prepare to Make Mistakes

This excellent talk really made me think about the value modern society places on creativity. Sir Ken Robinson is right in that the way our educational system is structured - creative influences and opportunities are at the bottom of our educational barrel.

Personally, I have always had positive reinforcements with regards to my artistic skill, and as a result, they were nurtured into my current career as a graphic designer. But in throwing open my own small window of perspective onto the world I've never really felt smart. Creative yes, but not truly smart. I can say that I have always had good grades - consistently A/B throughout grade school, high school and college, with a couple Cs. Definitely not brilliant, but at least a bit above average. I think my natural talent and enjoyment I found in drawing, painting and other mediums allowed me to excel in art class; but educational convention only allowed them to visit at my window once a week. (This isn't a pity party folks - and feel I received a good early education. And truly believe life is learning. I don't think one should ever stop or even slow. I just enjoy theorizing about the "what ifs" hoping one day they will turn into "why not do it now's?")

But viewing Sir Ken Robinson's talk above, it makes me beg the question: If I'd been allowed the opportunity to specialize early on, would I be more accomplished in my creativity now, less afraid to cut my own path, smarter artistically, and as Sir Robison mentioned - more creative? Would children's future lives be more well-rounded, more innovative, with more opportunities for those that excel creatively? Would there be more brilliant minds because they were not afraid to be wrong once and a while - because we restructured our educational system to not tailor the children to the tests, but rather the tests to the children?