Have We Reached a Point Where We Can't Think Outside the Box?

By: M. Gilchrist

Nowadays, we are always consuming and viewing multiple ideas and content all at once. This is a result of social media and our daily exposure to infinite information. Has this constant information overload removed our ability to have our own original ideas?  
 
When observing pieces of music, we often may find similarities in the melody, rhythm or lyrics. This happens because we have produced an infinite amount of music and songs, limiting the possibility of creating new ideas. Sometimes, artists are not purposefully copying other creators but are just coincidentally creating songs with similar traits.
 
In the past, the world and its art or culture was not as globalized as today. People were usually brought to listen to songs from their own country or state. Whilst nowadays, people can easily get hold of songs, films or content from across the globe, which means an increasing number of people are absorbing the same data and knowledge. Research shows that what humans create is usually  based on what we have experienced and learned throughout our life. If everyone is learning the same things, how are we expected to ‘think outside the box’?  
 
We have all at least once thought we had created an amazing idea, however when we entered a social media such as TikTok or Instagram we see the same thing plastered along our screen.  
 
Not only on social media or online, even in our school lives we are faced with learning similar topics as most people. Even though schools have different curriculums there are certain events which are commonly discussed amongst pupils all around the world. It is unlikely that you find a person, who has finished school, who hasn't heard about WW2 or basic addition and subtraction. So, from an early age we are already programmed into thinking in a certain way, however we are still expected to think outside the box.  ​