I first learned of Jonah Lehrer’s book Imagine through Jess Van Nostrand, the Founder of Seattle’s Project Room (and where I presented my new film-opera Magda G as a work in progress). I borrowed the book from Jess and was completely engaged. The book explores the origins of creativity from a neurological perspective, and how individuals and groups come across, and cultivate, innovative thoughts and ideas. Lehrer’s topics range from Bob Dylan to Pixar to the company 3M, in each case exploring how different ways of thinking and collaborating can create truly innovative results.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4v2O3Cc_q0Q
I was thoroughly disheartened to learn that Lehrer fabricated some quotes he attributed to Dylan. Jonah Lehrer:
Three weeks ago, I received an email from journalist Michael Moynihan asking about Bob Dylan quotes in my book “Imagine.”…The quotes in question either did not exist, were unintentional misquotations, or represented improper combinations of previously existing quotes. But I told Mr. Moynihan that they were from archival interview footage provided to me by Dylan’s representatives. This was a lie spoken in a moment of panic. When Mr. Moynihan followed up, I continued to lie, and say things I should not have said.
There’s something weirdly ironic about this. It’s almost as if Lehrer, in writing a book about imagination, let his own imagination get the best of him.
It’s really too bad. I find his message affirming:
I hope that the larger discussion about the origins of creativity, and how our own community can foster it, isn’t lost in the this hubbub.
Jess Van Nostrand with Jonah Lehrer at the Project Room. The Klavihorn (behind them) is an instrument that’s part of Magda G.