Is Creativity Solvable Like a P = NP Problem?

[Evo]

I don't think anyone else in this thread has a problem with this. I assume that is because, in the background, everyone's thinking in terms of this being a potential AI problem, one that could be given to an "intelligent" computer program to try and solve someday: write a brilliant piece of music, or write a brilliant short story. Regardless, it doesn't seem to have bothered anyone else.

Hmmm, I seem to be reading a different thread.

From the OP explaining this thread. https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/creativity-is-a-p-np-problem.813205/#post-5105787

 

[BobG]

I agree with billy_joule above.
There are many examples in history which speaks against this assertion. E.g. there are countless famous soundtracks (for e.g. movies and television) which have been commissioned. And here are four very famous and highly regarded works by classical composers, which were commissioned:

...

It may be, depending on the situation. But if the person who creates it has got talent and experience, it's a lot more easy to do.

The fact that famous works were commissioned doesn't prove the original premise was flawed.

Creating a masterpiece on demand is like Babe Ruth promising the kid in the hospital that he'd hit a home run for him in his next game. Babe Ruth only hit 60 home runs in his best season. There's no way he has a 100% chance of hitting a home run for that kid, even if he happened to know the pitcher he'd be facing the next day stunk.

But if you're going to pay someone to hit a home run for you, paying a person that hits a lot of home runs would be a good choice.

You're commissioning someone to create a piece of work for you because paying that particular person gives you a decent chance of getting a masterpiece in return. You're also taking your chances the work will be a dud.

Creating a masterpiece may not be quite as rare as the original poster suggests when you're talking about a great artist, but his premise that you can't guarantee ahead of time that a great artist's work will be a masterpiece is still valid.

 

[DennisN]

The fact that famous works were commissioned doesn't prove the original premise was flawed.

I misunderstood and/or underestimated what the OP meant by "brilliant" - the OP then started talking about "classics" and "masterpieces" in post #17, which made me write my next post #19 in which I wrote about "brilliant, meaning widely regarded as brilliant by others" etc...