ChatGPT 3.5 Had This To Say About “CREATIVITY”

Zack Florence
6 min readMar 6, 2024
Source: https://images.app.goo.gl/SUWnS4NwmhgAbADLA

Objectives and a Brief Summary

Media coverage, both to do with the wonderous capacities of AI (artificial intelligence) and its imminent destruction of our human civilization, lead me to investigate and get some sense for what the “hoopla” was about. I went to the home page of Open AI, the mother ship which you may know has had its share of controversy and grand promotion: https://openai.com/ .

Current products by OpenAI:

GPT 3.5 is free. I chose that one, of course, to conduct my three simple experiments. Again, here is an embedded link that provides a good, succinct history of the company and its partnership with Microsoft Corp, which has literally poured tens of billions of dollars into OpenAI. Very recently (2024) OpenAI made its first contract with a public university: Arizona State University. Recently, news broke about a text-to-video application: “On February 15, 2024, OpenAI announced a text-to-video model named Sora.” I wonder about the future after the actors and writers’ strikes last year?

Three simple experiments were done and the outputs are shown, below. I did not do any editing — — what you see is what you get. Like me, you might ask if you could accomplish your task just as well using one of the old-time search engines like “Google”. Except for the “bibliography”, where I found better results with Google (not shown), the other outputs was interesting, very short, good highlights and offered points of departure for more extensive work. Experiment #1 provided a few basic “characteristics” of creativity, but #3 I found in some ways most interesting: judge for yourself.

Please understand this — — maybe the results would differ if I knew more about how to use this kind of software AND, most importantly, if I shelled out the money to get access to GPT 5.0. You can find out for yourself if you want to try the free version. Here’s the link to ChatGPT 3.5: https://chat.openai.com/ . Or, go big and pay for the more advanced editions.

Experiment #1: Tell me about “Creativity”.

Response: This is its reply, without any Editing by the author.

Creativity is a multifaceted and complex cognitive process that involves the generation of novel and valuable ideas, solutions, or expressions. It encompasses various domains, including art, science, literature, music, technology, and everyday problem-solving. Creativity is not limited to a specific set of skills or talents; rather, it is a dynamic and adaptive capacity that can be developed and expressed in different ways.

Key components of creativity include:

1. Originality: Creative ideas are often novel and unique, breaking away from conventional thinking. Originality involves the ability to produce something new or unexpected.

2. Flexibility: Creative individuals can approach problems and tasks from different perspectives, adapting their thinking to find innovative solutions. They are open to exploring diverse ideas and approaches.

3. Fluency: Creativity involves the ability to generate a large quantity of ideas. Fluency is the capacity to produce a wide range of thoughts or solutions, promoting a rich pool of options.

4. Elaboration: Creative ideas are not only original but also elaborated upon to add depth and detail. This involves refining and expanding upon initial concepts to create something more comprehensive.

5. Problem-solving: Creativity often plays a crucial role in problem-solving. Creative thinkers can approach challenges with an open mind, exploring unconventional solutions and considering alternative viewpoints.

6. Imagination: Imagination is a fundamental aspect of creativity. It involves the ability to visualize and conceptualize ideas, scenarios, or possibilities beyond the immediate reality.

7. Risk-taking: Creative individuals are often willing to take risks and embrace uncertainty. They are not afraid to challenge the status quo or explore unconventional paths.

8. Passion and motivation: A strong intrinsic motivation and passion for a particular subject or task can fuel creativity. When individuals are genuinely interested and engaged, they are more likely to think creatively.

It’s important to note that creativity is not exclusive to certain individuals or domains. It can be nurtured and developed through various practices, such as fostering curiosity, embracing failure as part of the learning process, and encouraging a diverse range of experiences.

Creativity is a valuable asset in various aspects of life, driving innovation, problem-solving, and personal fulfillment. It is a dynamic and evolving process that continues to shape and enrich human endeavors across different fields and disciplines.

Experiment #2: : Which is more creative, building a house or painting a picture of a house?

Response: This is its reply, without any Editing by the author.

Creativity can manifest in various forms, and different people may express their creativity in different ways. Both building a house and painting a picture of a house involve creativity, but they tap into different aspects of it.

Building a house requires practical and technical creativity, as you need to consider architectural design, structural engineering, materials, functionality, and more. Problem-solving skills are crucial in overcoming challenges during the construction process. This form of creativity involves bringing a tangible and functional structure into existence.

On the other hand, painting a picture of a house involves more visual and artistic creativity. Artists use colors, shapes, and textures to evoke emotions, convey a message, or express their personal interpretation of the subject. This type of creativity is often subjective and allows for more personal expression and interpretation.

In summary, both activities involve creativity, but they are different in nature. Building a house requires practical and technical creativity, while painting a picture involves visual and artistic creativity. The preference for one over the other depends on an individual’s skills, interests, and the type of creativity they are drawn to.

Experiment #3: : Make a Bibliography about “Creativity”.

Response: This is its reply, without any Editing by the author.

Creating a bibliography for a broad topic like creativity can involve a wide range of sources from different disciplines. Here’s a sample bibliography with a mix of books, articles, and online resources that cover various aspects of creativity:

1. Books:

· Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1996). Creativity: Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention. HarperCollins.

· Sawyer, R. K. (2012). Explaining Creativity: The Science of Human Innovation. Oxford University Press.

· Pink, D. H. (2006). A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future. Riverhead Books.

· Amabile, T. M. (1996). Creativity in Context: Update to the Social Psychology of Creativity. Westview Press.

· Robinson, K., & Aronica, L. (2009). The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything. Penguin Books.

2. Articles:

· Sternberg, R. J. (2003). Wisdom, intelligence, and creativity synthesized. Cambridge Handbook of Creativity, 653–673.

· Runco, M. A. (2007). Creativity: Theories and Themes: Research, Development, and Practice. Academic Press.

· Guilford, J. P. (1950). Creativity. American Psychologist, 5(9), 444–454.

· Hennessey, B. A., & Amabile, T. M. (2010). Creativity. Annual Review of Psychology, 61, 569–598.

3. Online Resources:

· TED Talks:

· Sir Ken Robinson — “Do Schools Kill Creativity?” TED Talk

· Elizabeth Gilbert — “Your Elusive Creative Genius” TED Talk

· Kaufman, S. B. (2013). The Real Neuroscience of Creativity. Scientific American. Online Article

· Amabile, T. M. (2012). The Progress Principle. Harvard Business Review. Online Article

Please note that this is just a starting point, and there are numerous other valuable resources on creativity. Depending on your specific interests within the realm of creativity, you may want to explore more specialized sources in fields such as psychology, education, business, and the arts.

Thank you for using your time to read my writing. If you are in the mood, give me “clap”. Regardless, stay well and keep safe and have a look at my other articles.

Zack Florence

--

--