Improvisation As a Model For Social Change: Ajay Heble at TEDxGuelphU 2012

Ajay Heble is Professor of English in the School of English and Theatre Studies at the University of Guelph. He is the author or editor of several books and the Founder and Artistic Director of the Guelph Jazz Festival. Under his visionary leadership, the Festival—winner of the prestigious Premier's Award for Excellence in the Arts (2010), and a three-time recipient of the Lieutenant Governor's Award of the Arts (1997, 2000, 2001)—has achieved a rock-solid international reputation as one of the world's most inspired and provocative musical events. Dr. Heble is also the Project Director for Improvisation, Community, and Social Practice, a large-scale Major Collaborative Research Initiative, funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

[improvarts]

In a sense, yes, elquemando, if models of collaborative creation based on musical improvisation serve to facilitate creativity and advances in scientific research (as they have been shown to do), if collectives of individuals enter into improvisatory spaces to confront issues of access to food and water, (as they have). I don't have much to say about puppies!

[voileazur]

Elquemando, after a brief review of Mr. Heble's Improvisation/Collaborative Research Initiative, it would appear that the project's improvisation model of thinking and working principles haven't yet been applied to the domains of cancer research and world hunger. However, in the numerous domains where the improvisation/collaborative model has been applied, there was overwhelming evidence that 'acting in bad faith', 'cynicism' and 'resignation' were successfully clinically eradicated.

[_annhelga_]

Ah, so awesome.. I particularly love the Paul Robeson example, I've always deeply admired that lyric change. I remember watching that musical without the change and feeling very introspective about the whole story. Also, amazing improv.. the clip you played of the improv gave me an imagery of a new creature just waking up for the first time and flailing its arms and legs around!

[elquemando]

Can musical improvisation serve as a template for curing cancer, eradicating hunger, and finding a loving home for every puppy?

[dorotakrimmel]

He means this cacophony as wonderful music?