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Making a computer or a display or many of the huge replicas in minecraft isn't creative. They are just technical achievements.

by platz 5y ago

handrous 5y ago
Do you feel this way because the behavior's largely imitative, or because it's happening on a computer? Is designing and building a replica of a Boeing 747 with LEGO also not creative? Or making some kind of Rube Goldberg machine with LEGO Technic parts and junk from around your house? I would expect not, under this framework for what is and is not creative. Where's the line, though?
- platz 5y ago
  It's not because it's happening on a computer. It's because the behavior is largely imitative or following a script. The initial folks who figured out how to build a computer a minecraft were very creative. Rube Goldberg machines I think do involve a fair amount of creativity. it's not because they are physical per-se, but because the physical environment tends to force individual and creative thinking to solve the problems unique to that environment. Physical environments tend to be less homogenized and predictable than digital ones. Designing and building a replica of a Boeing 747 is less creative than a rube goldberg machine, but depending on how many decisions you made yourself while building it makes it more or less creative.
  - handrous 5y ago
    Got it, that makes sense, thanks for the clarification.
  - ds206 5y ago
    I disagree and think that learning through imitation is itself a creative process. It opens up possibilities that didn't exist for the imitator beforehand. It shows how things work and creates new conceptual models in their minds. At the same time, I do think that creating from first principles is the most creative.
hluska 5y ago
I agreed completely until I started playing Minecraft with kids. Once they taught me how to play, I got to see the amount of creativity within the game. From my perspective, it's a really amazing way to start instilling mathematical literacy in kids and the best part is that they have so much fun they don't even realize it. As an example, thanks to Minecraft, my five year old already has an understanding of exponents. I didn't do that.
- platz 5y ago
  understanding of exponents and mathematical literacy is great but it's not the same thing as creativity.
  - IntrepidWorm 5y ago
    You are correct- but they do complement each other very nicely, and Minecraft as a game has many properties that encourage both creative and analytical thought.
  - hluska 5y ago
    I agree completely but I think it takes incredible creativity to make something educational so much fun that kids don’t realize they’re learning.
- BlueTemplar 5y ago
  > thanks to Minecraft, my five year old already has an understanding of exponents. Wait, how ? Where are exponents used in Minecraft ?
  - arthurcolle 5y ago
    ... Think about it. Blocks are cubic. You lay 2 blocks by 2 blocks down, that's 4 blocks. If you add a second layer, you have 8 blocks. He probably meant something like this. 2^2 = 4 2^3 = 8

Making a computer or a display or many of the huge replicas in minecraft isn't creative. They are just technical achievements.

by platz 5y ago

Making a computer or a display or many of the huge replicas in minecraft isn't creative. They are just technical achievements.

handrous 5y ago

Do you feel this way because the behavior's largely imitative, or because it's happening on a computer? Is designing and building a replica of a Boeing 747 with LEGO also not creative? Or making some kind of Rube Goldberg machine with LEGO Technic parts and junk from around your house? I would expect not, under this framework for what is and is not creative. Where's the line, though?

platz 5y ago
It's not because it's happening on a computer. It's because the behavior is largely imitative or following a script. The initial folks who figured out how to build a computer a minecraft were very creative. Rube Goldberg machines I think do involve a fair amount of creativity. it's not because they are physical per-se, but because the physical environment tends to force individual and creative thinking to solve the problems unique to that environment. Physical environments tend to be less homogenized and predictable than digital ones. Designing and building a replica of a Boeing 747 is less creative than a rube goldberg machine, but depending on how many decisions you made yourself while building it makes it more or less creative.
- handrous 5y ago
  Got it, that makes sense, thanks for the clarification.
- ds206 5y ago
  I disagree and think that learning through imitation is itself a creative process. It opens up possibilities that didn't exist for the imitator beforehand. It shows how things work and creates new conceptual models in their minds. At the same time, I do think that creating from first principles is the most creative.

hluska 5y ago

I agreed completely until I started playing Minecraft with kids. Once they taught me how to play, I got to see the amount of creativity within the game. From my perspective, it's a really amazing way to start instilling mathematical literacy in kids and the best part is that they have so much fun they don't even realize it. As an example, thanks to Minecraft, my five year old already has an understanding of exponents. I didn't do that.

platz 5y ago
understanding of exponents and mathematical literacy is great but it's not the same thing as creativity.
- IntrepidWorm 5y ago
  You are correct- but they do complement each other very nicely, and Minecraft as a game has many properties that encourage both creative and analytical thought.
- hluska 5y ago
  I agree completely but I think it takes incredible creativity to make something educational so much fun that kids don’t realize they’re learning.
BlueTemplar 5y ago
> thanks to Minecraft, my five year old already has an understanding of exponents. Wait, how ? Where are exponents used in Minecraft ?
- arthurcolle 5y ago
  ... Think about it. Blocks are cubic. You lay 2 blocks by 2 blocks down, that's 4 blocks. If you add a second layer, you have 8 blocks. He probably meant something like this. 2^2 = 4 2^3 = 8