The imagination machine: Revisiting creativity

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In this event, Martin Reeves will explain how a misunderstanding of what imagination is has been holding us back.

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Our ability to imagine change is our defining human power. Over the past two centuries, there has also been a growing awareness of our ability to direct it. Now, suggests the author of ‘The Imagination Machine’, it is time to combine these two imaginative powers and trigger a step change in human creativity.In this event, Martin Reeves will explain how a misunderstanding of what imagination is has been holding us back. In particular, he reappraises romantic notions of imagination. Must we wait for imagination to strike, for example, or can we go in search of it? Is imagination essentially solitary, or can it be a collaborative enterprise? Must imagination by definition be a mysterious process or can it be taken apart and examined, piece by piece? Above all, might we, and the companies we work for, find a way to harness it systematically?At a time when AI is increasingly taking over low-level cognition tasks, these questions are more urgent than ever. Drawing on examples and insights from business, science, the arts and beyond, Martin will introduce you to the extraordinary world of your own imagination and explore its untapped potential.Copies of Martin&#x27;s latest book, ‘<a href="https://geni.us/s5dgjPd" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">The Imagination Machine: How to Spark New Ideas and Create Your Company&#x27;s Future</a>&#x27;, will be available to purchase after the talk.Speaker Information: Martin Reeves is a Trustee of the London Institute for Mathematical Sciences, which is based at the Royal Institution, and a Chairman of the BCG Henderson Institute. His TED talks “How to build a business that lasts 100 years”, “Why play is essential for business” and “Your strategy needs a strategy” have received more than 4.6 million views.This event is in partnership with the London Institute for Mathematical Sciences. This is a theatre event, where the speaker and audience in our theatre are joined by an online audience. For Theatre attendees, the address is 21 Albemarle Street, London, W1S 4BS.By booking to attend events at the Royal Institution, you confirm that you have read and accept the Ri&#x27;s <a href="https://www.rigb.org/terms-and-conditions" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">event terms and conditions</a>. You also agree to abide by our <a href="https://www.rigb.org/about-us/how-were-run/our-code-conduct-ri-visitors" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">code of conduct</a>, and help to create a great experience for yourself and your fellow participants.Event image by Josh Hild via Unsplash

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The imagination machine: Revisiting creativity

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