Shining a Light on Dark Creativity

Abstract

Investigating how creativity can be used for nefarious purposes is slowly gaining traction. Ingeneral, dark creativity is likely to emerge in open-ended contexts where rules can be reinterpreted, by actors who display cognitive and moral flexibility. The current paper chronicles my past work in this domain, both empirical and theoretical, emphasizing the importance of understanding the nuances of dark creative intent and behavior. If the construct is misunderstood, or worse, left unacknowledged by academics, dark creativity can continue to lead to widespread harm in society. Interlinked with domains like morality, information exchange, and public policy, this paper discusses current findings and proposes future directions.