Is Our Fascination With Creativity And Innovation a Good Thing?

There is much scepticism in modern day society on whether or not human's obsession with inventions and new methods of production is actually beneficial to the human race. The want to discover and invent has definitely been beneficial as the development of new ideas and innovative products have led to a general progress in mankind. The economic progress that leads to an improvement in the standard of living of people is brought about by human's fascination in creativity and technology. The endless desire to improve in terms of advancement in science and technology has indeed brought many advantages to mankind as the constant pursuit for improvement is ensured. However, the over-zealous effort and never-ending lust in the areas of creativity and invention may not actually be a good thing. The vigorous pursuit for advancement in science and technology may end up breaching ethical and religious barriers. This also leads to harmful effects such as pollution, which would greatly impair economic growth. Thus, this desire may lead to the overall degradation of the lives of people.

Human's fascination in the area of research in medical sciences is not necessarily a bad thing. Firstly, there are many ethical and religious barriers which are broken if progress in science is not controlled. Stem cell cloning and the usage of human embryos in experiments are strongly opposed by the bio-ethics committee. Should scientists clone people just because they have the right to do so? This strong opposition showed by the bio-ethics committee in countries has revealed the fact that the never-ending pursuit and fascination for progress in medical science is actually more harmful than beneficial to the people. This is so because if men were allowed to do whatever it takes to seek improvement in these areas, then it would be akin to men disregarding their own moral values. Though this desire to improve has fuelled much of the progress in medical science, it is also this lust that breaches ethical and religious boundaries. This would lead to a general regression of mankind as a whole even though there is much improvement in the area of science. This fascination up to a point of obsession causes humans to be science giants but ethical infants in the process.

Secondly, the over-zealous pursuit for success in science, innovation and creativity fuelled by human's fascination for it can also lead to harmful effects such as pollution. The development of modern equipment and tools often causes much environmental degradation. This is indirectly caused by human's everlasting desire to progress in the areas of invention and creativity. The onset of the automobile era is one example in which human's creations have led to much pollution and destruction to the natural surroundings. Air pollution due to harmful gases being emitted by industries, factories and vehicles is extremely detrimental towards the health of the people. Pollution would also lead to a lowering of the standard of living of people in terms of their health. This would also lead to high economical cost, as the price of cleaning up the environment is very expensive. As we can see, this absolute fascination to create and invent has driven people to invent which ultimately leads to economic and environmental degradation.

Thirdly, human's fascination in terms of creation and innovation in the area of military science may not be beneficial to the human race. For example, during the Cold War in the 1970s, America and the USSR were competing in the development and production of weapons. On top of the need to protect themselves, both countries were also fascinated in terms of wanting to develop massive weapons which has caused much stress in the people of both countries. This fascination also fuels the endless desire to develop new and better weapons. Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) have been developed as a result of this. This is definitely not a good thing as if such biochemical and destructive weapons are put to use during wars, many innocent lives would be lost. This never-ending fascination in terms of creativity and innovation has led to a stage where it has become an obsession. This is definitely not a benefit for mankind as many problems arise from the evergreen lust in the development of science and technology.

However, human's fascination in the areas of creation and invention has also led to any benefits. Firstly, the thirst to improve in telecommunications has spurred humans to find ways to improve communications across countries. This want to develop and achieve progress in the telecommunications area has led to the increased social harmony amongst the people between countries. A greater network of connections of people generates much social cohesion and this is indirectly a result of human's passion in creativity and innovation. It is necessary for the drive to invent to be present as without this drive, there would be no motivation whatsoever to engage in Research and Development (R&D). Without motivation to invent and create new and better products, how would humans be able to benefit form their great potential? Therefore, this innate fascination with creativity and innovation is absolutely essential to ht betterment of mankind.

Secondly, much economic progress is derived due to the "inner-urge" of humans to want to achieve progress in everything they do. For example, firms in certain industries often have to come out with new and innovative products to attract customers. As we can see, consumers of products such as mobile phones are very interested when new and creative phone models are produced in the market. This shows us that the general human population is indeed very fascinated and interested with creativity and innovation. It is this fascination in customers, which drives various phone companies such as Nokia, Samsung and Sony Ericsson to develop new and interesting products. This is good for the general public as customers welfare is increased with the increase in the standard of living of people. Therefore, this shows us the innate fascination people possess when it comes to creativity and innovation, and this wonder people have generally leads to the advancement of technology that greatly benefits people.

Lastly, it is a good thing to create and innovate, as it is necessary to adapt to the ever-changing physical surroundings. It is a natural process by which men aim to improve themselves. Evolution of the human race is build upon this natural ability to want to create and invent. Thus, this is an absolutely essential process for the survival of the human race.

In conclusion, human's innate passion and fascination with new, creative and innovative products is a good thing more than a bad thing. The benefits brought to society outweigh the negative impacts as much economic progress is generated. It is only bad if the fascination is up to a point of obsession where creativity and innovation is placed above everything. However, I believe that this inner fascination in humans is not at such an extreme state and therefore, is beneficial to the development of the human race.