Talks and shows

The imagination machine: Revisiting creativity

Martin Reeves explains how a misunderstanding of what imagination is has been holding us back.

Josh Hild via Unsplash

Our ability to imagine change is our defining human power. Over the past two centuries, there has also been a growing awareness of our ability to direct it. Now, suggests the author of ‘The Imagination Machine’, it is time to combine these two imaginative powers and trigger a step change in human creativity.

In this event, Martin Reeves will explain how a misunderstanding of what imagination is has been holding us back. In particular, he reappraises romantic notions of imagination. Must we wait for imagination to strike, for example, or can we go in search of it? Is imagination essentially solitary, or can it be a collaborative enterprise? Must imagination by definition be a mysterious process or can it be taken apart and examined, piece by piece? Above all, might we, and the companies we work for, find a way to harness it systematically?

At a time when AI is increasingly taking over low-level cognition tasks, these questions are more urgent than ever. Drawing on examples and insights from business, science, the arts and beyond, Martin will introduce you to the extraordinary world of your own imagination and explore its untapped potential.

Copies of Martin's latest book, ‘The Imagination Machine: How to Spark New Ideas and Create Your Company's Future', will be available to purchase after the talk.

This event is in partnership with the London Institute for Mathematical Sciences. 

Event type

This is a theatre and livestream event for an adult audience, where the speakers and audience in our Theatre are joined by our audience online. 

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For any queries regarding this event please get in touch by phone 020 7409 2992 or email events@ri.ac.uk.

About Martin Reeves

Martin Reeves
via TED

Martin Reeves is a Trustee of the London Institute for Mathematical Sciences, which is based at the Royal Institution, and a Chairman of the BCG Henderson Institute. His TED talks “How to build a business that lasts 100 years”, “Why play is essential for business” and “Your strategy needs a strategy” have received more than 4.6 million views.

About LIMS

LIMS Logo

The London Institute for Mathematical Sciences (LIMS) is Britain’s only independent research institute in physics and mathematics. Based at the Royal Institution of Great Britain, LIMS offers scientists an alternative to a university career, giving them the freedom and support to devote themselves full-time to making discoveries.

Timing for the livestream

The livestream will go live at 6.55pm and the introduction will begin at 7.00pm. If you register but miss the livestream, the video will be available to you via the same link for two weeks after the event date.

Event terms and conditions

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