Article April 30, 2001 Issue

CREATIVITY: WHAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE?

Stephen T. Carlson

Recently I was watching one of the late Victor Borge's comedy routines on TV. I had seen this particular act several times before on other broadcasts of his concerts. But it was just as funny this time around. It was the same routine, and yet it had a new feeling. It wasn't stale. It showed me that doing something different isn't necessarily better or more creative than bringing fresh inspiration to something tried and true.

This isn't an argument for dullness or sameness. It's just that different isn't necessarily better simply because it's different.

What makes you laugh at something you've seen a dozen times? What continues to move you about music you've heard over and over again? What is it about a movie you can watch again and again and never get tired of—one that, in fact, says something new to you every time you watch it?