Do constraints and limits enhance creativity and innovation? Yes, David Epstein argues that they can, bringing together several strands of research, coupled with some amazing stories, in his terrific book titled Inside the Box: How Constraints Make Us Better.
For example, Epstein tells the story of the terrific young pianist, Keith Jarrett, who was scheduled to play a concert in Cologne, Germany. Unfortunately, the organizers brought the wrong piano to the venue, and it was woefully out of tune. A rushed effort to remedy the situation provided only a partial fix. Forced to improvise with a far-from-optimal piano, Jarrett produced an incredible concert performance. Epstein writes, "That recording, of the undersized, partly tuned, sticky-pedaled piano, eventually became the bestselling solo piano album of all time."
Epstein grounds his argument in solid research studies, as well as terrific stories. For example, he describes the work of Catrinel Tromp. She wrote an article titled "The Green Eggs and Ham Hypothesis: How Constraints Facilitate Creativity." Tromp asked research subjects to develop two-line rhymes for greeting cards. She found that her subjects were more creative when she imposed significant constraints on them. She likened this effect to Dr. Seuss writing his famous story after making a bet that he could write an entire children's book using just fifty words.
I highly recommend the book. It is an easy read, and his arguments are compelling. He shows what humans can do when faced with limits. They improvise, innovate, and create amazing things under certain conditions.
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