Brainstorming in a Digital World (Part 1)

Has the Internet made us better at creative thinking?  There’s been a huge swath of articles over the past several years debating whether the Internet has made us more stupid or smart. Here’s a short list of its strengths and weaknesses.

The Digitalista would say the Internet gives us more creative fuel by allowing …

• Instant communications with more types/diversity of people from a larger network
• Instant information (facts, research, intelligence)research, ideas, concepts, intelligence)
• Instant inspiration and exposure (ideas, concepts, trends, options) – IOW, flowing in of stimulation
• Instant self-expression – IOW, flowing out of stimulation
• Less to remember, so our minds can do more important tasks – like make ideas
• Remote working, allowing us to create in environments more conducive to our personality and style

In other words, the Internet harnesses our creative thinking through a larger collective consciousness.  As my friend Teresa said, It makes me feel creative.

The Luddite would say the Internet limits our creative fuel by making us …

• Overwhelmed with mostly useless information
• Less able to organise and prioritise
• Less able to focus
• Less able to reflect
• Less human / more dependent upon machines and tools
• Less connected to people by sight or touch (vs. by screen or by tweet)

So, while the Internet might make us feel more creative, it’s very likely to also be a barrier to our productivity by being a disruptive presence, albeit one that’s addictive to boot.

Perhaps a more realistic answer is that the Internet is a tool like any other. To be effective, it needs to have a purpose, to be used properly and with control, and have proper context. It’s about intent and balance.

In part 2, some ground rules for brainstorming in a digital world.