Creativity is one of the most mysterious and studied human faculties, and countless theories have been proposed as explanation, ranging from deities, muses, random chance, and even mental illness. While it is often limited to the artistic crafts, creativity affects every avenue of human expression, including art, innovation in science, invention in technology, speculation in philosophy, insight in theology, etc.
I believe there is a distinct separation between the craft and creativity, which to me seem too often combined without distinction. Every human activity requires knowledge of it, practice in it, diligence of will and effort, and the mental capacity to comprehend the specific type of task at hand. This is the method of a craft. Each craft is different: all require unique skills, techniques, and mindsets.
For example, art requires a mental affinity for visualization and hand-eye coordination to bring the illuminated, detailed image in one's mind to an aesthetic medium; it requires continuous practice, and the tools of the trade, particularly depending on which art form one chooses. On the other hand, technological invention necessitates a logical mind with prior knowledge of mathematics and physics, as well as an understanding of past technologies and their forms, while like art one must also think within the chosen field of technology.
Creativity is a completely different mode than craft, however. While craft requires learning and adhering to previous methods and information, creativity is the opposite: one must be divergent, unusual, and contrary to what would commonly be thought of. Creativity is being able to look at something, in any field or venue, perceive the preconceptions and assumptions in it, and voluntarily go against them. Creativity is inherently rebellious, actively going against the norm in order to be different, unique, and seen as such.
While anyone can do this, I believe someone who already feels like an outsider or outcast socially, who feels neglected or mistreated, whose self-perception is unusual, weird, different, and "more aware" than others around them, has a natural talent for creativity. This sort of person often becomes comfortable in their ostracism, whether real or perceived, and intentionally seeks to be different and against the assumptions or commonly-held notions of those around them, the "status quo" and "popular groups", often displayed as early as childhood. This active divergence is expressed in creativity, both in the desire to go against the perceptions of one's social environment, and as escapism, using fictitious venues to be creative and different.
Without the self-perception of social marginalizing, differentiation and outcast, coupled with the rebellious desire to be creative and abnormal, I believe it is almost impossible to be creative. At least, one must conjure these feelings to be creative, even in the more scientific or economic crafts. For example, to think of a profitable business venture, one cannot simply know the technical craft of business, investing and the market. It requires creatively thinking of or picking a product to invest in which is both risky and potentially lucrative, going against common wisdom or conservative estimates.
Often, this "creative outcast" is simply an expression of what everyone, even the most conformed, desires to be. Despite one's self-loathing or assimilation into the group, everyone is an individual, unique and distinct from all others, with the desire to express oneself and be different, with special dignity and freedom. But, with the pressures of life, the oppressive cruelty we experience socially from peer pressure throughout our lives, and our own internal desire to be approved of and accepted, we usually give up ourselves in order to "fit in". In our hearts, however, we always desire to be ourselves. This is why creativity, from artists to "geeks", is often made fun of, especially by the leaders of conformity - it is seen as "childish", because one still tries to be an individual, even in the face of social pressures. And accordingly, it can also cause anger problems in the outsider, making them feel superior or more intelligent than everyone else; and the social separation can also surface as isolationism and even social anxiety, hoarding, depression, etc.
Fundamentally, however, creativity and self-expression are wonderful gifts. The highest expression of rebellion against conformity and pressures is Christian faith. By assenting to a truth beyond this world, especially beyond the norms of society even in a Christian community, we sacrifice our own comfort and ease to follow Truth and Love, fulfilling ourselves by self-giving. The light which is revealed is truly seen. By hiding, distorting, or changing our identity, we slowly kill it. But by giving ourselves, we bring our identity into full visibility, and by enduring the scorn and pressures both external and internal, against temptations and hurt, we truly fulfill the gift of individuality as human persons, made in the image of the Personhood of God.
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