| "Did You Ask a Good Question Today?” |
Culture in the Senedd |
| A Letter to the New Minister for the Arts , Culture & Policy of Wales , June 8, 2026 |
Dear MinisterJust four Fridays ago; across the sixteen mega-constituencies the counts were underway. The polls had been good but nothing happens until it has happened. The once-inconceivable became reality. The history of Wales in this century swivelled. There was a before 7th May 2026 and there was an after 7th May. All change causes shock. Of all the changes, across all the activities that humans have devised for themselves, nothing comes bigger than the transition from political opposition to responsibility. The psychology of transition is well-known. Elizabeth Kübler-Ross published her theory of transition in 1969. The members of the new Cabinet may be reeling; if it isn't difficult, but bearable, then the transition probably isn't taking place. A memorable account of the transition to ministerial office has been left by Chris Mullin. 29th July 1999 in “A View from the Foothills” he recorded “Home on the 20:00, feeling very depressed.” * * * * A time beforehand in the shadow role helps. You are in this sequence, below 25th October 2025. The words are passionate; the denunciation of the government that went before is fierce. They were words that stood out. And now the reality. Ministerial office. And the options. What to make happen? How to make it happen? * * * * Isidore Rabi won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1944. He acknowledged the role his mother had played. Back home from school in Rymanów, Austria-Hungary she did not ask “What did you learn today?’ She would say “Izzy, did you ask a good question today?” Good questions matter. Get the questions better and the answers that follow will be better. * * * * Six years ago there was no outside world to write about. I fell back onto a sequence of summary articles. I alighted for one on Ernst Schumacher. He is best known as a pioneer economist, author of “Small is Beautiful”. But his work had an underpinning in social philosophy. In particular he pointed, rightly, to the Principle of the Middle Axiom. Order and disorder are complementary and inbuilt. Schumacher explains: "Life is full of antinomies and bigger than logic. Without order, planning, predictability, central control nothing fruitful can happen. And yet without the magnanimity of disorder, the happy abandon, the entrepreneurship venturing into the unknown and incalculable, without the risk and the gamble, the creative imagination where the bureaucratic angels fear to tread. Without this, life is a mockery and a disgrace.” What is required is something inbetween, a middle axiom, an order from above which is yet not quite an order." On 29th March 2020 I wrote about Matthew Syed and his book “Rebel Ideas”, sub-titled “The Truth is that Great Minds Don't Think Alike”. “I doubt if ecologists, system theorists, aestheticians or sociologists are admitted in any serious way into a Cardiff forum.” * * * * Culture. To quote Charles Dickens. “It is the best of times. It is the worst of times.” The artists are valiant; they are indomitable. Their psychology was mapped out sixty years ago; see Frank Barron below 21st May. They are great, but they may not be easy. Culture is a garden. If the soil is tilled, the light is right, a sufficiency of moisture is applied it will most likely flourish. The seeds are plentiful. The manifesto was too long. It speaks to the reader of the party machine. Reports from across Wales came in that canvassers were unable to support parts of the manifesto. No matter. Culture features in the manifesto, three pages 67-71. “Our strategy will be based on a root and branch reassessment of the challenges and opportunities facing the sector, undertaken in full collaboration and consultation with artists, cultural and heritage organisations and other relevant stakeholders.” This is based on a misapprehension of culture. Throw enough civil service resource at enough people, consume enough time in talk and government can know everything. A panopticon of view and a completeness of knowledge can allow a wisdom of policy. False. It is simply not the way that the world is. The fallacy of complete knowledge is well-known. A totality of knowledge cannot be known. On 4th December 2020 I wrote of the Culture Committee reporting “The imposition of an outcomes approach tended to discourage rather than encourage creative engagement”. * * * * The questions are not difficult. Question: “is creativity an emergent phenomenon?” Answer: “Understanding Creativity as an Emergent Phenomenon” “Creativity is indeed considered an emergent phenomenon. This means it arises from the interaction of various elements and processes rather than being a singular internal capacity. “Key Characteristics of Emergent Creativity “Non-Linear Process: Creativity does not follow a straight path; it evolves and adapts over time, similar to natural systems. “Interaction of Elements: It results from the combination of different factors, including individual experiences, environmental influences, and social interactions. “Ubiquitous Quality: Creativity is present in many forms across various contexts, from nature to human activities, indicating that it is a fundamental aspect of reality. “In summary, creativity is not just an individual trait but a complex, dynamic process that reflects the interconnectedness of various elements in both human and natural systems.” “Key elements that contribute to creativity as an emergent phenomenon include the interaction of distinct elements within a complex system, the non-linear processes of idea generation, and the ability to embrace spontaneity and experimentation. These factors allow for new and unexpected possibilities to arise, reflecting the dynamic nature of creativity.” * * * * Question: “Is randomness necessary for artistic creation?” Answer “The Role of Randomness in Artistic Creation.” “Importance of Randomness. Randomness can significantly enhance artistic creation by introducing unpredictability and encouraging innovative thinking. It allows artists to break free from traditional methods and explore new ideas. “Here are some key benefits: “Stimulates Creativity: Randomness can lead to unexpected outcomes, which often inspire new directions in art. “Encourages Divergent Thinking: By embracing randomness, artists can reduce mental fixation and open themselves to fresh perspectives. “Facilitates Exploration: Random elements can help artists venture into uncharted territories, leading to unique expressions.” * * * * Question: “Does stochastic process blend the pre-determined with the random?” Answer: “Understanding Stochastic Processes “A stochastic process is fundamentally different from deterministic processes. It does not blend predetermined outcomes with randomness. Instead, it models systems that evolve over time with inherent randomness while also maintaining some underlying structure. “Key Characteristics of Stochastic Processes “Random Variables: A stochastic process consists of a family of random variables. Each variable represents a possible outcome at a specific point in time or under certain conditions. “Time Indexing: These random variables are typically indexed by time, meaning their values can change as time progresses. “Underlying Structure: While stochastic processes incorporate randomness, they also reflect patterns or trends that can be analysed statistically. This allows for predictions about the behaviour of the system over time, even though individual outcomes remain uncertain.” * * * * The challenge for cultural policy-making is straightforward. How can the disciplines that attach to public expenditure be allied to the conditions that allow for cultural efflorescence? How can an Arts Council best set to creating the zones of randomness for artists where stochastic process may emerge? As for the answers a follow-up article will suggest what they might best be. |
Reviewed by: Adam Somerset |
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