I think creativity and choice does not contradict dependent origination but neither does it become a kind of determinism. Similar to Emergence: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergence
So what manifest as an act of creativity, or a choice, is a result of complex conditions including our very "own" thoughts and ideas and patterns. Now these patterns CAN be changed, for example if your mind is always afflicted by anger, by desires, through Buddhism we CAN remove those afflictions, or what Buddha calls the latent tendencies towards craving and aggression and delusion - we can terminate them forever. And there is a path which we can practice and reach that goal, which is the noble eightfold path. So it is not saying 'these conditions are fixed'. They are not determined or fated in the sense that "that's just what is going to happen and there is nothing you can do about it". As Richard pointed out, "Will, freed of the encumbrance of fear and aggression and nurture and desire, can operate smoothly, with actual sagacity."
However, thoughts, including intentions, do not manifest as a result of an agent, thinker, controller, it is not independent of causes and conditions*. Everything including intentions and choices are the result of causes and conditions. Those causes and conditions can be changed, however, for were it not able to be changed, there would be no point in practicing anything including Buddhism or spirituality.
Kevin Flynn: The Miracle...You remember. ISOs, isomorphic algorithms, a whole new life form.
Sam Flynn: And you created them?
Kevin Flynn: [Laughs] No, no. They manifested, like a flame. They weren't really, really from anywhere. The conditions were right, and they came into being. For centuries we dreamed of gods, spirits, aliens, and intelligence beyond our own. I found them in here, like flowers in a wasteland. Profoundly naive; unimaginably wise. They were spectacular. Everything I'd hope to find in the system; control, order, perfection. None of it meant a thing. Been living in a hall of mirrors. The isos, shattered it, the possibilities of their root code, their digital DNA. Disease? History! Science, philosophy, every idea man has ever had about the Universe up for grabs. Biodigital jazz, man. The ISOs, they were going to be my gift to the world.
*Check this out: http://exploringthem...fore-you-decide
(Brain Scans Can Reveal Your Decisions 7 Seconds Before You “Decide”)
"I wouldn't call it a hostage situation, because thinking about it as a hostage, implies a dualism between your conscious mind and your brain activity. But the conscious mind is encoded in brain activity, it is realized by brain activity, it is an aspect of your brain activity. Also your unconscious brain activity realizes certain aspects of you, it's in harmony with your beliefs and desires. So in most cases it is not going to force you to do something you do not want to do."
Edited by xabir2005, 23 July 2012 - 11:41 PM.