Path of Least Resistance

出版者:Ballantine Books

作者:Robert Fritz

页数:320

出版时间:1989-4-22

价格:USD 16.00

装帧:Paperback

isbn号码:9780449903377

具体描述

A revolutionary program for creating anything, from a functional kitchen to a computer program, to a work of art, Robert Fritz demonstrates that any of us has the innate power to create. Discover the steps of creating; the importance of creating what you truly love, how to focus on the creative process to move from where you are to where you want to be, and much more.

作者简介

Robert Jordan Fritz (born 1943 in Cambridge, Massachusetts) is an author, composer, filmmaker, and management consultant. He is known for his development of "structural dynamics," the study of how structural relationships impact behavior from individuals to organizations. His book The Path of Least Resistance and subsequent books develop the theory and application of structural dynamics and the creative process.

BIOGRAPHY

Robert Fritz studied music composition and theater at the Boston Conservatory of Music where he earned a BM and MM in composition. He also studied on scholarship at the Darmstädter Ferienkurse, Germany. He studied cinematography at Maine Media Workshops formerly Rockport Workshops. In the late 1970s, Peter Senge, Fritz, David Peter Stroh and Charles F. Kiefer founded Innovation Associates, a management consulting firm. Fritz's study of music composition along with his close contact with Senge's work in system dynamics, became a major influence for his exploration of the relationship of structure to behavior. His books on structural dynamics are based on his pioneering work with Blue Shield of California, La France, Harvard Vanguard, IBM China, and Ortynsky Automotive among others.

Structural dynamics has been used extensively in corporations, education, and third-world development. The Uganda Rural Development and Training Programme adopted this visionary approach as its fundamental operating principle. In 2009, URDT won recognition for its programmes from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for Changemakers "Cultivating Innovation: Solutions for Rural Communities". Fritz has worked with the Swedish governmental agency Vinnova. He has consulted with the US Department of Defense Special Ops on issues of terrorism, and has also introduced his work to the US Air Force and Department of Transportation. The Managerial Moment of Truth (co-authored by Bruce Bodaken) was chosen as one of BusinessWeek best books of 2006, and Harvard Business Review placed it on their executive reading list.

Structural dynamics has also been used in public school systems as chronicled in School Leaders Building Capacity from Within (Corwin Press) by Leonard C. Burello, Lauren P Hoffman, and Lynn E. Murray. In his book, Schools That Learn: A Fifth Discipline Fieldbook for Educators, Peter Senge features Fritz's structural approach as well.

Fritz has created two separate careers, one as a consultant and the other one as composer and filmmaker. As a composer, Fritz has won commissions from groups such as Collage and Dutch Radio. He has composed music for film, TV, and theater, as well as CDs. Two of his arrangements appear on Celtic Ladies, which topped Billboard Magazine (2007-2008 World Music).

Fritz has made documentaries for government, industry, and television, has written and directed three feature-length films, has directed and co-hosted Creating (a TV series made for a Canadian network), and directed episodes of the PBS series LeaderTalk with Garrison Krause, for which he also composed the theme music. Fritz wrote and directed the TV series Vermont Stories. He created the multi-media work She Was A Dancer for the Brattleboro Museum and Art Center. Overload, a narrative feature film written and directed by Fritz has won nine awards including an Indie Spirit Award in Recognition of Distinguished Accomplishment from The Boston International Film Festival, a Merit Award from the Los Angeles Cinema Festival of Hollywood, and Fritz won Best Screenplay and Best Original Score in the made for television category from the Los Angeles Movie Awards.

WORK:

---Structural dynamics---

Structural dynamics is the study of how structural constructs lead to predictable behavioral patterns, otherwise known as macrostructural patterns, the long-range patterns that reoccur in a person's life. Two basic patterns can be observed: oscillating and advancing. These two predictable patterns occur in quite specific and unique ways; and in each instance the same steps and the same sequence can be observed in every aspect of personal and professional life. The oscillating pattern emerges when a person, team, or organization takes action to accomplish a goal; and after achieving the desired result a reversal occurs. Examples illustrating this sequence include the business success that eventually leads to a financial loss, the great love that ends with a break-up, the successful project that turns into an undesirable predicament. In contrast, the advancing pattern creates momentum when outcomes are achieved, and accomplishment builds a platform for future success.

---Tension-resolution systems---

Underlying structures cause these behavioral patterns. The basic structural unit is the "tension-resolution system". In musical composition, harmonic tension behaves as a structural dynamic when it seeks resolution. Similar tension-resolution systems appear in behavioral macrostructural patterns. In the oscillating pattern, opposing tension-resolution systems dominate, and "non-equilibrium" occurs when the desired outcome is achieved. Structurally, the opposing tension resolution system remains and resolving it requires moving away from the achievement. In the advancing pattern, a single tension-resolution system dominates, and equilibrium occurs by achieving the desired outcome, the structural point at which the desired state and the actual state are equal. From these observations, this principle was developed: the underlying structure of anything determines its behavior. Without a change of underlying structure, change efforts fail, and the original behavior patterns reoccur. This explains why many sound change efforts fail within organizations. Organizational oscillating patterns occur when building up capacity, then downsizing, then building up capacity again; or centralizing decision making, de-centralizing decision making, and then centralizing it again; or focusing on long-term growth, then refocusing on short-term demands, and later refocusing on long-term growth again. When an underlying organizational structure leads to oscillation and remains unchanged, the structure rejects any change effort in a similar way that a body rejects an implanted organ. Conversely when a change of underlying structure designed to support advancement occurs, any subsequent change effort increases the likelihood of success and sustainability.

---The creative process---

Fritz developed his ideas about the creative process from the arts rather than psychology, making a distinction between the creative process and creativity. Creativity usually focuses on idea generation and comes from suspending the norm. However, Fritz argues that to advocate withholding critical judgment in favor of free association, brainstorming, or other systems in an effort to bypass the usual thought processes will not guarantee successful creativity or accomplishment of the goal. In the arts a consummate professional must produce consistent quality outcomes and meet rigid deadlines. Rather than freeing the mind, an artist focuses the mind, often by using structural tension--the relationship between two related data points. With repeated application and refinement what was once the unusual then becomes the usual. A desired outcome or goal, the first data point is contrasted with its relational current reality, the second data point. As the creative process begins, a difference exists between the desired state and the actual state, and this difference creates a useful tension. The composed tension is not psychological nor is it associated with stress, anxiety, or pressure. Rather it is structural. Clarity about the desired outcome and the actual situation, establishes a structural tendency that moves the structure toward tension resolution; and strongly motivates the best actions to achieve the desired outcome. The actions may be conventional. But often inadequate resources limit the conventional means to accomplish goals. Therefore, invention and innovation emerge naturally bringing forth new ways to accomplish goals. Fritz argues against glorifying inspiration. Professionals can create irrespective of their circumstances. Ideas about structure and the creative process fundamentally underscore Fritz's observations that like other structures, the mind seeks equilibrium. By nature, the mind desires a state of equilibrium and attempts to create order out of disorder. Fritz advocates using the mind to compose a structured state of non-equilibrium (structural tension) in order to originate new ideas. The mind then generates structurally relevant ideas which do not emerge using usual thought processes.

---Problem-solving vs. creating---

Fritz argues for a distinction between problem-solving and creating. Problem-solving is taking actions to have something go away: the problem. While problem-solving has its place, as a persistent approach, it limits accomplishment. The elimination of a problem does not mean that the desired result can be created. As distinguished, solving a problem does not by design lead to a creation. Creating is taking action to bring into being that which does not yet exist: the desired outcome.

FILM AWARDS

---Overload---

* Boston International Film Festival - Indie Spirit Special Recognition Award

* Los Angeles Reel Film Festival Honorable Mention

* Honolulu Film Festival Aloha Accolade Award for Excellence in Filmmaking

* Los Angeles Cinema Festival of Hollywood Award of Merit for Narrative Feature

* Accolade Competition Award of Merit

* Los Angeles Movie Awards Award of Excellence (television), Best Original Score, Best Screenplay, Best Actress (for Katherine Partington)

读后感

人的性格命运如同这山川水势，这坐定的格局并不能轻易改变。我们所走的路，就是我们生命中的最小阻力之路，好比让老牛登上常人看来无路可寻的大山，不需要人指引就能凭借本能轻易找到登山的最小阻力之路。 懒惰，三分钟热血，迷茫……造就了我们生命中的相对的劣势，既然我们看...  

小A觉得自己有点颓废，决定要改变自己，于是制定了满满当当的学习计划，头几天严格执行，觉得自己生活特别充实。后来某一天计划被打断没完成，有点沮丧，但安慰自己就一天没完成而已明天可以补上。到了第二天，感觉要完成两天的任务有点苦难，于是产生拖延心理，任务也没完成。...  

人的性格命运如同这山川水势，这坐定的格局并不能轻易改变。我们所走的路，就是我们生命中的最小阻力之路，好比让老牛登上常人看来无路可寻的大山，不需要人指引就能凭借本能轻易找到登山的最小阻力之路。 懒惰，三分钟热血，迷茫……造就了我们生命中的相对的劣势，既然我们看...  

人的性格命运如同这山川水势，这坐定的格局并不能轻易改变。我们所走的路，就是我们生命中的最小阻力之路，好比让老牛登上常人看来无路可寻的大山，不需要人指引就能凭借本能轻易找到登山的最小阻力之路。 懒惰，三分钟热血，迷茫……造就了我们生命中的相对的劣势，既然我们看...  

用户评价

这本书给我的最大震撼在于其对“选择”和“后果”之间关系的探讨，其深度远超一般的通俗小说。作者笔下的人物似乎总是在被推着走，但每一次看似被动的反应背后，都隐藏着极其艰难的内心博弈。我非常欣赏作者处理道德灰色地带的方式——它没有简单地将角色划分为“好”与“坏”，而是深刻描绘了环境如何塑造选择，以及选择如何不可逆转地改变一个人。读到某些关键转折点时，我甚至会忍不住停下来，思考如果是我身处那个情境，我会如何抉择。这种强烈的代入感，使得阅读过程变成了一种持续的自我拷问。它迫使我们直面人性中那些光辉与幽暗并存的复杂性，并且展示了那些看似微不足道的决定，是如何在时间的洪流中，汇聚成改变命运的巨大力量。看完后，对现实生活中的一些既定规则，也多了一层审视和理解。

我留意到这本书的配乐性，如果用音乐来形容的话，它大概属于那种慢板奏鸣曲，节奏虽然沉稳，但内在的情感张力却无比充沛。它没有采用过于华丽或煽情的辞藻来堆砌情绪，而是通过精准的场景描绘和人物的内心独白，将那种深沉的、渗透骨髓的忧郁和希望，不动声色地传递出来。特别是一些关于自然景象和日常琐事的描绘，它们看似与主线情节无关，却起到了绝佳的烘托作用，为故事提供了一个呼吸的空间，也为人物的情感提供了一个微妙的注解。这种留白的处理非常高明，它没有把所有东西都解释清楚，而是相信读者的理解力，留下了足够的空间供读者去感受、去填充自己的情感色彩。这种内敛而有力的表达方式，使得作品的持久魅力远大于那些喧嚣一时的爆款，每次重读都会有新的感悟浮现。

从纯粹的文学技巧层面来看，这本书的创新性是毋庸置疑的。作者似乎毫不畏惧地打破了传统叙事的线性结构，大胆地采用了多重时间线和不同叙述者的视角交织推进的方式。起初，这种跳跃感会让人稍微有些不适应，感觉像是在拼凑一块巨大的、破碎的马赛克。但一旦你适应了作者设定的节奏，那种多角度、立体化的信息输入，反而带来了无与伦比的阅读快感。每一个新的视角都像是为我们打开了一扇不同的窗户，让我们得以从截然不同的立场去审视同一个核心事件。这种处理方式极大地增强了故事的悬疑张力和深度，使得最终真相的揭示具有了爆炸性的冲击力。这种叙事实验的成功，恰恰证明了作者深厚的文学功底和对驾驭复杂结构游刃有余的自信。它绝不是那种一眼就能望到底的平铺直叙，而是充满了需要读者主动参与构建的乐趣。

我必须说，这本书的语言风格简直是一股清流，读起来让人感到非常熨帖和放松，但这种“轻松”绝不意味着内容肤浅。恰恰相反，作者似乎有一种魔力，能将极其复杂的哲学思辨和深刻的社会观察，用最简洁、最日常的对话和场景表达出来。我尤其喜欢那种不动声色地埋下线索的技巧，初读时可能只是会心一笑，待到后续情节展开，才恍然大悟，原来那看似漫不经心的对白，早已为最终的解答埋下了坚实的基石。这种“回味无穷”的写作手法，是很多当代作品所欠缺的。它要求读者保持高度的专注力，奖励那些愿意沉浸其中、细心捕捉每一个蛛丝马迹的读者。读完之后，我感觉自己的思维方式似乎也被微妙地调整了，对事物的看法也变得更加多维和包容。它没有刻意去贩卖焦虑，而是提供了一种近乎智慧的观察角度，教我们如何在混乱中找到秩序，如何在既定的框架内，看到突破的可能性。

这本书的结构简直是教科书级别的范本，作者对于叙事节奏的把控精准得令人称奇。从一开始的平缓铺陈，到中间层层递进的冲突爆发，再到最后如抽丝剥茧般揭示真相，整个过程一气呵成，毫无拖沓之感。尤其欣赏作者在塑造人物性格上的细腻笔触，每一个主要角色都鲜活得仿佛就坐在我对面，他们的动机、挣扎和最终的选择，都让人在阅读时产生强烈的共鸣和深刻的思考。那种在绝境中迸发出的微弱人性光辉，被描绘得既真实又震撼。书中对于环境和时代背景的渲染也极为到位，那种压抑而又充满张力的氛围，几乎能透过纸页感受到。每一次翻页都像是被一股无形的力量推动着向前，生怕错过任何一个细微的伏笔。这不仅仅是一部小说，更像是一次对人性深渊的探索之旅，让人在合上书本之后，仍需时间消化其中的重量。文字本身也极富画面感，很多段落的描述，即便不带任何修饰，也足以在大脑中构建出宏大而又逼真的场景。

创造者！

十分之一本书了，还没有一点点具体的东西，我不是说这个观点不好，道法自然的观点，好，但是他妈的缺稿费吗？真是浪费时间

创造者！

十分之一本书了，还没有一点点具体的东西，我不是说这个观点不好，道法自然的观点，好，但是他妈的缺稿费吗？真是浪费时间

理念挺好，提出这个理念值得五星。不过本书写作不太好，减一星。详见书评。