Creating Brains: the science of genius March 6, 2006

Where does creativity come from? Can anybody be creative? Michelangelo was a stonecutter's son and Shakespeare the son of a middleclass businessman What causes some people to soar free of their limited lives and be a creative genius?

In a new book, The Creating Brain The neuroscience of genius, psychiatrist Nancy Andreasen shows us that creativity is not the same as intelligence and not the same as skill. The essence of creativity is to shape the materials of life in new and unexpected ways.

This evening, the author and speakers from the worlds of science and art, will discuss how the human brain achieves creative breakthrough, the role of genes and environment, the value of not having standard education' and the question of genius and insanity'.

How does exceptional creativity develop in the human brain? How does a person's brain move through a creative process to produce a sonnet or a song or an equation? The answer lies in understanding how we human beings, beginning with our prehistoric ancestors, have managed to wrestle ourselves out of dark caves and into a world ablaze with the brilliant fire and light of creative genius.

Organisers
The European Dana Alliance for the Brain and Dana Press
speakers
Nancy Andreasen, Unviersity of Iowa, USA and author of The Creating Brain The neuroscience of Genius
Ken Arnold, Wellcome Trust
Daniel Glaser, University College London
David Barrie, Arts Fund

CHAIRMAN:
Tim Radford, former Science Editor of The Guardian
booking information

This event is free but places must be booked by calling 020 7942 4040 or by emailing [email protected]. All events are open to anyone aged 18 or over.

Arrive early to enjoy a wide variety of delicious food and drink in our air-conditioned d.cafe, or make use of our free Internet access in the d.lounge.