Is "brainstorming" the new "groupthink"?

Is "brainstorming" the new "groupthink"?


To brainstorm is to produce an idea or solve a problem by holding a spontaneous group discussion. (dictionary.com)

Definition of groupthink-the practice of thinking or making decisions as a group in a way that discourages creativity or individual responsibility.(also dictionary.com)

Hmm do I agree that brainstorming is the new groupthink or disagree?

To me brainstorming and groupthink are the same thing.

Both involve producing and idea or solving a problem by a group. Both discourage creativity and individual responsibility. 

And personally I would much rather work alone, when I work in a group I feel like my creative ideas get ruined and I could produce something much better on my own.


People say brainstorming helps because you get different peoples ideas on the matter, but the matter of fact is the group only comes up with one idea in the end...

That sounds a lot like "groupthink" to me.

My Intelligences

My personal creativity is influenced the most by my kinesthetic, interpersonal and intrapersonal intelligences. I learn and work best when these three are combined... which could be why I've always excelled in sports. I think sports come natural to me because of my ability to control my body and knowing myself and my limits, as well as helps me push my limits. 

I think creativity doesn't always have to be something art related... The process I went through when recording the video below was definitely creative and used two of my highest intelligences. 

After not doing any gymnastics for the last four years, I decided I wanted to try it. The first couple takes were a complete fail. (I'm not as strong for flexible of a gymnast anymore and definitely not as small.) But I made the trick a little easier, and visualized in my mind what I was about to do, and finally landed the back tuck. 

And after 4 years of not doing gymnastics (or anything physically challenging) I still naturally have it! 

What motivates my passion?

My greatest passion would be succeeding in life as an independent woman...

What motivates my greatest passion? 

Negativity.

The more I hear I cant do something, the more I want to prove you wrong. 

Role Models.

Strong independent women motivate me to be the best I can be.

Success.
The more success I have and the better I do at something drives me to want more.

And MOST importantly my Mom.

Raising two children in another country (while my father was deployed), knowing absolutely no one and doing a great job at teaching me about the world and always encouraging me, telling me I can do anything I set my mind to. She is the definition of independent woman. 

Introduction

Most introductions are easy and simple...Whats your name? Where are you from? 

Well it may seem strange but the second question always throws me off. 

Growing up I never thought of my life as different, strange, or unconventional. But when I answer the second question in an introduction with a new person it becomes apparent. Where am I from?

I have never had one place to associate with as home because I have grown up all over the world.

I hate answering the second question because I never know what to give as an answer. 

I was born in Germany, then moved to Fort Drum, New York and about three years later moved to Italy where I started kindergarten and my younger sister was born. After that we moved back to the US and out west to Colorado and from there back to New York. Then my parents split up and my father moved to Alabama, and my mom stayed in New York. Two years ago my dad moved to Texas, so now I split my breaks "home" in two different places, completely across the country. 

Now if that is confusing for you to read, imagine how confusing it is to grow up doing.

Most people tell me that I grew up in New York, that is my home because that's where I have lived the longest, but I would have to disagree. 

They didn't live in an all-Italian neighborhood where no one spoke English. They didn't have to ride an Italian public bus to school everyday at the age of 5, or learn to ski in the Alps, or swim in the Mediterranean, they didn't have "family" in Germany that spoke broken English. 

(I think they don't understand because they haven't walked a day in my shoes.)

So when most people ask me where I am from, I say I grew up all over and quickly avoid or change the subject. Most of the time it works and other times it doesn't and I have to explain. 

I think moving has influenced the person I am today both positively and negatively but also given me an advantage over most children who grow up in the same place. 

Positive

Cultured

Street Smart

Independent 

Organized

Optimistic

Personable

Negative

Guarded

Confused

Lost 

Shy

Always ready to move to the next place

Picky about Italian Food

I used to always wish that I hadn't moved around so much, that I was closer to my extended family, and that I had the same friends I did when I was a baby. 

Then I stopped and realized that I have experienced more in my 21 years then some people experience in a lifetime, and even though I didn't grow up around my extended family they love me just the same as the cousins who live near them, and I do still have the same friends I had when I was younger, we just don't live in the same areas and aren't as close as we used to be.

So my introduction to you is: 

Hi, my name is Nikki Filkins and I am your typical "Army Brat".