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Zac Capen

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Does the ambiguity of language allow or disallow the fluidity of creativity?

I think the question states it all. Maybe this was a TED talk at some point. I feel like half the questions I think about are on TED. Maybe I watch TED too much. Maybe I found some weird way of watching TED through osmosis.

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    Debra Smith 200+

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    Jul 19 2012: To everything there is a season.
    You have pointed out something that I always though was a downside and now I can see that ambiguity in language can actually support and help create new ideas. If one person almost gets but not quite- what you intended to say it is possible that it could spark new ideas. However there does come a time, maybe later in a project where we must all be in sych and on the same page, I believe.
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    Gail . 50+

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    Jul 17 2012: I don't think that it is so much the ambiguity of language as it is understanding of the purpose of language itself.

    I define your words according to MY experiences. But words aren't the only medium of communication. Feelings are a universal language of the unified field, that one can connect with in order to make your words meaningful to the listener.

    Ultimately, your words canot be heard by me, so your words are not meant for me. They are meant for you. Life is a mirror.

    How I wish I could explain all of this in 2k characters or less, but I cannot. If you think it through, you should be able to follow the rationale, and it is VERY logical and totally devoid of emotions. (Your feelings will offer you assurance of logic)
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    Fritzie Reisner 100+

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    Jun 20 2012: Language allows us to share and pass on information, saving us from some reinventing of the wheel and having additional value in modern times of allowing us to gather insight from more people over a distance.
    Ambiguities in language cut both ways in terms of our creativity. Understanding someone clearly helps us understand her view, but misunderstanding someone can also spark an idea. In addition, working through misunderstandings of language can allow all the parties involved to understand better the idea-space they are exploring.
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    edward long 100+

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    Jun 20 2012: If ideal fluidity of creativity is the result of unambiguous language then I do not see how ambiguous language could be said to be an enabler of creativity. Since your question contains both "A" (allow) and its opposite "Not A" (disallow) a yes or no answer cannot be given since an ambiguity exists as to which condition ("A" or "Not A") is intended. The ambiguity of your question disallows fluidity of creativity in answering. Perhaps you could rephrase the question to something like: "Does ambiguity of language inhibit the fluidity of creativity?" Then I could answer with an unambigous "Yes" or "No"! Thank you!

  • Zac Capen

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    Jun 20 2012: I recently heard somewhere most language or most of our communication is non-verbal. I think they cited an example of verbal communication made up 7% of communication overall.

    If that's the case, what if we eliminate the conversation aspect in creativity and simply just "do."

    Alternatively, what if we increased the percentage of conversation or the use of language and ambiguity?

    Let's generate a few public thought experiments and pick some circumstances:

    What happens if language is removed from a political setting entirely? No ad campaigns. Just actions or recordings of voted measures or speeches without audio. How would this change who we voted for or believed in? Would it?

    What if we went based specifically on what the person said? How would we infer doublespeak and what not?

    In a creative medium, we have to collaborate with others. What if instead of talking about ideas, we doodled and passed things around. Tossed things into the middle of the table and wontonly grabbed something that looked interesting and tweaked it.

    What if we had sessions like that based on outward goals for a company or a legislation? No conversing, just developing, writing, drawing, infographic-ing?

    Would removing language entirely impede creativity?

  • Luke Monahan

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    Jun 20 2012: This is an interesting question, misunderstanding one another due to miscommunication can certainly hinder creativity but...

    I often find that considering alternate interpretations for a sentence leads me to unexpected and valuable new lines of thought.

    To answer your question specifically;

    Yes, ambiguity of language does allow or disallow the fluidity of creativity depending on the specifics of the situation.
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      Chetan Somani

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      Jun 20 2012: Luke,
      I dont agree with you completely.
      ambiguity of language results in misunderstanding and when you dont understand what a person is trying to convey/share how can you fluid up your creativity??
      what ever the situation/scenario it may be..
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