Your elusive creative genius

TED2009 · 19:09 · Filmed Feb 2009

47 subtitle languages

Ken Robinson: Do schools kill creativity?

Elizabeth Gilbert muses on the impossible things we expect from artists and geniuses — and shares the radical idea that, instead of the rare person "being" a genius, all of us "have" a genius. It's a funny, personal and surprisingly moving talk.

Elizabeth Gilbert

Writer

The author of 'Eat, Pray, Love,' Elizabeth Gilbert has thought long and hard about some big topics. Her fascinations: genius, creativity and how we get in our own way when it comes to both. Full bio

This talk was presented at an official TED conference, and was featured by our editors on the home page.

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Elizabeth Gilbert says:

Creators should fight against the pull of Romanticism in their work and reject the notion that the artistic life must be one of suffering and torment. I encourage makers to recognize that when you pull your ego out of the game, your work can become a series of joyful collaborations (between artist and mystery, between artist and peers, between artist and audience). The important thing is to take responsibility for continuing to show up for your side of the bargain.