Intelligence vs. Creativity: Hollywood to London!
I hope you’re having a fun and productive summer. I have been having an amazing time traveling and performing all over the country, and I’m excited to share the journey with you.
In July, I will be performing at the Magic Castle in Hollywood, where I have been regularly appearing for almost 15 years. I have had the great honor to perform there for celebrities, dignitaries, fellow magicians, and friends!
Magic Circle in London, England
This month, I will also be appearing at the Magic Circle in London, England. This will be my third time at the Circle. What a great and humbling honor it is to appear at these incredible and historic venues dedicated to the art of performance magic!
You will catch me all day in the museum and the library on my hours off stage.
“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.”
Albert Einstein
Recently, my personal research into the human mind has been focused on the relationship we have with intelligence, creativity, and neuroplasticity.
Is it possible to become more intelligent? Is it possible to become more creative?
Some of the answers have surprised me, and I think they will surprise you, too!
Intelligence vs. Creativity:
“The chief enemy of creativity is ‘good’ sense.”
Pablo Picasso
Neuroscience and psychology researchers finally have access to technology that allows them to pinpoint the brain regions involved with creativity. Creativity is all about our ability to come up with new, innovative ideas and solutions. Recent data has shown that creativity involves a complex interplay between two different types of thinking. The first is spontaneous thinking, the ability to both brainstorm ideas, and the second is controlled thinking, the ability to deliberately evaluate those ideas to determine whether or not they will actually work.
Intelligence, on the other hand, involves the ability to reason and plan, quickly comprehend complex ideas, and learn from experience. There are many tools that can help us to become more creative and think in more abstract ways to succeed at creating and doing amazing things. But can we become more intelligent?
“Compelling evidence shows that genetics plays a more important role than environment, as intelligence develops from childhood. Intelligence test scores correspond strongly to specific features of the brain,” states Richard J. Haier, Ph.D, author of The Neuroscience of Intelligence. We may not actually be able to raise our intelligence. Much of our ability to succeed at intelligence tests in school seems to be based on how efficiently specific regions of our brains are at connecting to each other, though the scientific community still isn’t entirely sure.
But there is good news! This is only one side of the debate on whether intelligence is fluid or crystallized (i.e., changing versus unchangeable). Additionally, intellegence does not necessarily correlate with a person’s compassion, creativity, kindness, work ethic, or success in life. So don’t get too caught up in worrying about your core intelligence level.
My grandfather, Calvin W. Taylor, Ph.D, was head of the psychology department at the University of Utah. One of his primary areas of focus was multiple intelligences, the idea that each of us possesses different levels of intelligence in different arenas. He called this concept the Multiple Creative Talent Teaching Approach: Click here to find out more.
We are all good at something, and many of us are good at multiple things. The best way to discover these talents is through creative exploration.
I would love to help you learn more about how to unlock your creative potential!
“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”
Maya Angelou
Keynote presentations, workshops, or shows:
When groups bring me in for keynote presentations, workshops, or shows, I always ask how they would like me to focus my time in the presentation. It can be 100% creative entertainment, 100% academic research, or something in between customized just for the needs of the event.
A show that is 100% entertainment could be my theatrical Mysteries of the Mind show.
A workshop that is 80% entertainment could be a class teaching everyone how to juggle with 20% of our time focused on job instruction skills.
A presentation that is 60% entertainment and 40% teaching is a great time for a day of training on public speaking or teamwork.
A class that is 40% entertainment and 60% educational content could be geared toward leadership and management.
A lecture that is 80% research and and 20% entertainment could be filled with transferable, actionable data on patient or employee safety.
A keynote that is 100% research could be a keynote on neuroplasticity, neonatology, or the historical war studies of Bedouin pastoralists.
I am always excited to work together with clients to create something unique for you and your event!
Get a quick glimpse of what I do in my show here: SHOW
Or see my brand-new website for 2019 at: WEBSITE
I hope we can work together again soon!
Thank you,
Paul
801-541-2976
Mental Mysteries Website
UK Hypnosis Academy in Leeds!
Participants will receive focused instruction in mentalism, sleight of hand, and building prestige as a performer and entrepreneur.
The cost is £299 per student, and the date is quickly approaching: sign upHERE to reserve your spot today!
On May 5th, I performed a STEM-based show for the Navy League in
Washington, D.C.!
On May 10th, I visited my home state of Utah to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Golden Spike that completed the first Transcontinental Railroad!
On May 25th, I produced and performed in a private, wizarding academy-themed event for 100 children and their parents at the Southern Highlands Country Club
in Las Vegas, Nevada!
