Alan Alda Helps Scientists Get Their Mojo

In his 2012 Wired article “Cultivating Genius” Jonah Lehrer speculates that the key to cultivating genius is the presence of meta-ideas that create a breeding ground. (See article here)

The meta-ideas discussed in the article are:

  1. Human mixing: diversity, and open immigration.
  2. Education: open, experimental, and universal.
  3. Support from risk-taking backers.

As usual the key to solving the problem is not to meet it head on. Instead of direct attack on the problem, zig when zag seems indicated. Or zag when zig seems indicated. This is not an effort at being a contrarian. Rather an acceptance of the truism that some problems are better handled by inspiration rather than perspiration.

Alan Alda is currently introducing something which I consider a meta-idea on par with those listed above. He is teaching scientists in the art of acting — specifically improv. Improv by his definition is not the art of making stuff up. Rather improv is the art of connecting.

Connecting  — between scientists and their audience — could be the spark that transforms the current educational downward spiral in this country.

When a scientist has a connection with their audience they intuitively sense when an explanation is getting through and when it is falling flat.

With a connection a scientist is able to communicate the excitement behind a discovery — to infect the audience with an appreciation for the importance and meaning underlying the words flying by.  In the words of Jim Carrey speaking to God (played by Morgan Freeman) “It’s goooood”.

ABC News posted a short video on the work that Alan Alda is doing.  Click here to watch the ABC News clip about Alan Alda.