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Creativity Without Borders

Innovation from East and West

Attention
Drawing a Fish—and Other Ways to Observe

Nancy K. Napier Ph.D. on February 27, 2024

We often drift through our world without really observing. Two essays, written more than 100 years apart, make the case for deep observation of what might seem mundane.

We often drift through our world without really observing. Two essays, written more than 100 years apart, make the case for deep observation of what might seem mundane.

Creativity
Why Should You Write in the Margins?

Nancy K. Napier Ph.D. on November 25, 2023

With so much talk of loneliness, are there simple ways to overcome it? Maybe marginalia, writing notes to ourselves (and others) in books, can help.

With so much talk of loneliness, are there simple ways to overcome it? Maybe marginalia, writing notes to ourselves (and others) in books, can help.

Learning from the past
Education
Why Don't We Learn From History?

Nancy K. Napier Ph.D. on January 6, 2023

Why do humans insist on doing the same things that didn't work in the past? A small book offers ideas on why we don't learn from history—and how we could.

Why do humans insist on doing the same things that didn't work in the past? A small book offers ideas on why we don't learn from history—and how we could.

Education
How to Hit the Wall and Come Back

Nancy K. Napier Ph.D. on November 8, 2022

A Personal Perspective: The thrill of climbing up a learning curve on a new skill can give way to frustration when you hit a wall. Don't quit. Try doing what you know how for a while. Then go back.

A Personal Perspective: The thrill of climbing up a learning curve on a new skill can give way to frustration when you hit a wall. Don't quit. Try doing what you know how for a while. Then go back.

Gratitude
When You Need a New Mantra

Nancy K. Napier Ph.D. on August 4, 2022

A Personal Perspective: On safari, I see animals I'd never see at home, from elephants and giraffes to monitor lizards and cape buffalo. It's exhilarating until the animals don't appear. Then what?

A Personal Perspective: On safari, I see animals I'd never see at home, from elephants and giraffes to monitor lizards and cape buffalo. It's exhilarating until the animals don't appear. Then what?

Fantasies
Now They Tell Me: Yes, Fiction Writing Is Hard!

Nancy K. Napier Ph.D. on June 9, 2022

When a long-time academic shifts from writing up research to writing mysteries, the path can be tough. The hardest part is adjusting to a new way of thinking.

When a long-time academic shifts from writing up research to writing mysteries, the path can be tough. The hardest part is adjusting to a new way of thinking.

Loneliness
'You Got Any Gas?'

Nancy K. Napier Ph.D. on January 21, 2021

In times when we can't be face-to-face so much, we realize the lost benefits of mindless chatter as a way to connect with others.

In times when we can't be face-to-face so much, we realize the lost benefits of mindless chatter as a way to connect with others.

Depression
Finding Tiny Bits of Joy in the Pandemic

Nancy K. Napier Ph.D. on October 23, 2020

We each have ways of managing during the pandemic—and I have found a small daily way to surprise myself and bring a few seconds of joy.

We each have ways of managing during the pandemic—and I have found a small daily way to surprise myself and bring a few seconds of joy.

Loneliness
How Do You Belong?

Nancy K. Napier Ph.D. on July 22, 2020

When we feel disconnected, how can we find ways to connect? Some countries have done it well for hundreds of years. What can we learn from them?

When we feel disconnected, how can we find ways to connect? Some countries have done it well for hundreds of years. What can we learn from them?