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What Do We Value in Creative Work?

An interactive Theory of Knowledge activity exploring creativity, AI, and the tension between process and product

Central Knowledge Question
What values influence what we consider "good" creative work, and how do those values shape our judgments about AI assistance?
Phase 1 of 6

Expert Perspectives

Creative people disagree passionately about whether tools like AI enhance or diminish creativity. Read each perspective. Think about which one resonates most with your instincts about creative work.

Jack White
Struggle is Essential
"Ease of use is the disease that we have to fight."
  • Deliberately uses inferior equipment (plastic guitars, broken amps) to force creative problem-solving
  • Constraint and struggle produce better art than convenience
  • When tools are too easy, we take the path of least resistance
Ted Chiang
Process IS the Product
"AI doesn't reduce the effort of writing; it bypasses the act of thinking through what you want to say."
  • The process of creative struggle clarifies thinking
  • If you outsource the struggle, you outsource the insight
  • The artifact isn't the point — the transformed understanding is
Brian Eno
Tools as Creative Partners
"The computer is a very, very good creative partner because it always suggests things you wouldn't have thought of by yourself."
  • Pioneered generative music systems
  • Embraces tools that introduce randomness and unexpected results
  • Sees technology as a creative collaborator, not a shortcut
Refik Anadol
Outcomes Matter
"The question is not whether the machine is creative, but whether we are creative with the machine."
  • Creates massive AI-driven art installations at MoMA
  • Measures creativity by the novelty and value of outputs
  • Tools don't create — people create with tools
Your Turn
Which perspective do you agree with MOST? Why?
Be specific about what resonates with you. There's no right answer — these are all respected creators who genuinely disagree.
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Phase 2 of 6

Play

You're about to play a game. Try to discover all the different outcome combinations. Pay attention to the design, the humor, and the gameplay.

Instructions: Experiment with the slider and the dial. There are 8 unique outcomes to discover. Take your time — explore the combinations, read the stories, and enjoy the experience.

Phase 3 of 6

First Reflection

You've played the game. Now answer honestly, before we reveal anything else.

Reflection
Do you think this game is creative, even if you know it was made with AI?
Consider:
  • What makes something "creative"?
  • Does the quality of the game matter?
  • Does it matter HOW the AI was used?
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Phase 4 of 6

The Reveal

Here are the two prompts used to create the game you just played.

Prompt 1
"You need to build a game that is coherent, fun, and driven by a story. There are precisely two controls in the game. One is a slider in which one side is labelled 'Maximum Goblin' and the other side is labelled Mathematical, there are 4 positions for the slider. The other control is a dial that goes from Dali to Doner Kebab. These labels are literal not figurative. Figure it out. Don't ask any questions. You decide and I want you to use the LLM workflow skill to begin. Use Opus 4.5 and tell me when the game is finished"
Prompt 2
"Make it better"
Total time to create this game: approximately 15 minutes

Take a moment. Let that sink in.

Phase 5 of 6

Second Reflection

Now that you've seen the prompts, revisit your earlier answer.

Your First Answer

You'll see your earlier reflection here once you wrote one.

Reflection
Has your opinion changed? Why or why not?
Think about what specifically shifted (or didn't). Was it the simplicity of the prompts? The timeline? The second prompt?
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Phase 6 of 6

Discuss

Choose 2–3 of these prompts for small group discussion. There are no right answers — only honest inquiry.

  • Which expert perspective did you choose at the start? Did playing the game confirm or challenge that choice?
  • If you changed your mind after seeing the prompts, what specifically changed?
  • Prompt 2 was literally just "Make it better." How does that minimal input affect your judgment?
  • Does the simplicity of the prompts make it LESS creative, or does it show AI is now a powerful creative tool?
  • The game is coherent, fun, and story-driven. Does that quality matter more than how it was made?
  • Can we value BOTH the struggle (Chiang/White) AND the outcome (Eno/Anadol)?
  • The human specified: controls, labels (literal not figurative), coherent/fun/story-driven. Is that enough intentionality to call it creative?
  • Compare to a chef saying "Make me a great pasta" to a sous chef. Is the chef creative?
  • If this had taken 15 HOURS, would your answer change?
  • Is there a minimum time investment required for something to count as "creative"?
  • If anyone can make a game like this in 15 minutes, does that democratize creativity or devalue it?
  • Who benefits from keeping game creation difficult? Who loses?
Synthesis Question
What do these disagreements reveal about what we value in creative work?

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Values Creativity Knowledge & Technology
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