Chapter 7

It seems I jumped the gun a bit in class discussion last week, thinking I'd assigned chapter 7 for that discussion. But some of the things we were talking about might become clearer now ( or not). Hughes begins the chapter with this definition of creativity: "...the creative product is something consensually determined to have both newness and positive value" (89). We left out the positive value aspect, and I'm still not sure that I agree with him on this point. Thoughts? Anyway, he enlarges on this by saying that the creative product is the "gift of a mind seeking to communicate something [we're back to those vague words again] hitherto unknown" (89). Nice quote, I think, and delving into some of that slippery stuff we were trying grasp in considering where the "unknown" resides. Hughes touches on this idea again on page 94 in the blurb about "Usurping the Gods", explaining that only the gods should be able to make make something from nothing - the very essence of creativity. It's interesting that this chapter doesn't really address altered states, and that Hughes sidesteps the whole issue of how we can make something of nothing. If it's nothing to start with, then where does the something come from?
Hughes does address the topic we talked about in class, of multiple inventors / theorists discovering the same things simutaneously. And while he does mention the team of Watson and Crick as the discovers of the DNA structure, he doesn't mention that a 2004 article in a British newspaper cites Crick as saying that he perceived the double-helix while he was under the influence of LSD. Interesting, huh?

Here's the link to the article on LexisNexus
http://www.lexisnexis.com.ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/us/lnacademic/results/docview/docview.do?risb=21_T2107433966&format=GNBFI&sort=BOOLEAN&startDocNo=1&resultsUrlKey=29_T2107433969&cisb=22_T2107433968&treeMax=true&treeWidth=0&csi=138794&docNo=14

It's obvious, too, that Hughes wouldn't think the tree could hear itself fall, since he says that
"[t]o be complete, the creative act needs the approval of others" (91). I wonder how Crick's discovery fits into that notion -- DNA has certainly been approved, but not the method of discovering it.

Humor

I love to laugh and am made to laugh very easily. I find humor in most things and I think this really helps me succeed in school, work, and in my personal relationships. "Laughter is an altered state, a massive response on th level of physiological reflexes, but serving no apparent biological purpose" (Pg. 112).

Isn't neat how so many people find the same things humorous? For instance, millions of people around the world watch the Dave Chappelle show, and if I am not mistaken, he has been recognized as the number one comedian in the world. Everyone has different interests, likes, and dislikes, and life experiences. But, find humor in the same things. This really intrigues me!

Our book notes that laughter can deflate emotions, such as anger, anxiety, or pride. I remember learning in a Popular Culture class about Walt Disney. Walt Disney really thrived and was successful during the Great Depression. People had next to nothing, and for the most part, all they really had was laughter. Therefore they found humor in Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, etc. Walt Disney often portrayed his characters as being "down on their luck," not being able to make rent, and going to different lengths to outwit and outsmart their landlord.
People could really relate to this and having laughter in their lives, helped them get through this terrible period. I also think it is nice that out book used the word deflate, instead of mask or cover up. Deflate makes me think of laughter as a way to ease the situation or lighten the mood. I also think that I enjoy laughing so much because I grew up in a home where my parents always laughed and joked with each other.

I think laughing in contagious and is a universally accepted altered state. I hope to pass my laughter along.

Blog 3 or Am I Who I Am or Who I've Become

I always thought it was an inherent flaw within myself being the reason for the lack of sustained relationships, now I know it's just because I'm creative. I wish it was that easy. It would make looking in the mirror simple to say it's all something else's fault. Eventually though, no matter what we must face up to the reality that we choose our priorities. The creative is driven by impulses, ideas, whatever, but they/we still make the choice in the end. Even if you claim you had no choice or choose to make no choice, you have still made one. As Geddy Lee sang about so long ago. The chapter mentions therapy and how we can heal through our art. It is funny how that which might have gotten us into "trouble" becomes that which serves to heal us. I have found in my own life that art can be therapeutic or the cause of more anxiety. In another class we were given a quote by an author I now forget (sorry Julie) but the lesson was in order to be a better writer, lower your standards. Part of what causes us to get writers block or be afraid of that blank canvas is the artificial high standards we create. You have to fail in order to learn, you have to play against a better opponent to be a better opponent. Part of the therapy is the ability to try and try again and to keep going, because life keeps going, with us or without us.

Therapy

I couldn’t agree more with the section on creativity as therapy. I have often found myself on the verge of insanity with no real outlet except creativity. I grab a pen, or my computer and I will write whatever comes into my head. It doesn’t have to be a certain subject matter, or coherent, for that matter. As long as I am creating something that is important to me all my ailments seem to fall away and I am relieved. If it’s not writing, then it’s some other creative outlet. I also paint, and though I find it impossible to paint formally, so to speak, with a subject matter, and some bit of realism, I paint nonetheless/ In fact, I haven’t painted anything that couldn’t be done just as well as any first grader. However, how it looks to other people is not even close to the point for me. I generally only paint when I find myself in situations that I have not let my ideas just flow for a while, or if I’m just stressed out, or any other host of reasons. The mere fact that I’m creating something is more than enough reason to do it. I will lock myself in a room with a few gallons of paint and simply go to work on my walls. I almost never realize what I’m creating until it’s finished and then I’m in one of the best moods that anyone can be in.

Creativity as therapy is something that I understand, as well as practice. It’s not about what you create, but why, and in that sense the pieces become a biography of your life… so much more than a collection.

Creative = Looney? That is the Question

It's interesting to find that most great creative minds suffered from some type of mental or social disability or disfunction. I have heard it said before, but chapter 6 really brought the idea home. Personally, I choose not to call it psychotic; I would prefer to call it sensitive. I think that most artists are very sensitive to the persuasions of society and the emotions of the individual. Artists are oppressed by themselves. They fall victim to the fierce intensity of their own emotions. I beleive they are forced, in a sense, to succumb to their feelings where another individual may be able to put the emotion out of mind or turn their cheek to it. Artists bring all of that emotion out into the world in varied forms. They cannot turn away; they must face the emotion mano y mano. "Creativity seems to be more a way of life, a way of balancing the inner and outer worlds, than a particular personality type." (Hughes, 80)

I found myself relating to a great deal of the text. It's very strange and very personal, so don't judge. I find that I write best when I am distressed somehow. When I am angry or upset, I can write things that I would not rate myself capable of writing. More and more I find that I have trouble writing (creatively, anyway) unless I'm discontented. If I were to take out my tablet and pen right this instant, with nothing on my mind except classwork, I would drag out maybe 4 or 5 lines. On the other hand, if I were to see a horrific car accident on the way home, I would have no problem pumping out an entire page worth of poetry. It sounds almost deranged, but that is how it is. Honestly, I have had trouble writing for the past few months or so, and the more I think about it, the more I realize it's because everything in my outside life is running so smoothly.

Creative= Looney?

I prefer sensitivity, but looney just may work.

The Anti-Erdos

The book talks of Erdos not enjoying vices and pleasures of the flesh. Yet he was a genius and a giant in his field. I found myself thinking of the anti-Erdos. A man I share some common traits with. That would be Ernest Hemingway. Hemingway was known to be a womanizer and an alcoholic among other things. It seems that they did share something in common. They both had a psychological disorder. Erdos' is classified as Genophobia according to www.phobialist.com. Whereas Hemingway suffered from depression and paranoia which ultimately led to his suicide(as according to www.ernest.hemingway.com). While I may share a similarity or 2 with Hemingway. I think it would have been far better to be Erdos than Hemingway. Hemingway had his share of relationships, bodily injury, and he made 2 attempts on his life. So I would rather be Erdos but if I could I would take the good qualities of both of them.

The Creative Personality

Let me first apologize for not having changed my user name yet. I completely forgot how to do it.
I have enjoyed several of the ideas advanced in the last few chapters but I feel that the author has downplayed a few aspects of creativity and the creative process which I believe play an important part in the creation of art. One of which is the artistic context in which art is produced. I agree with the notion of a creative spark or impulse that seems to come from some place outside the consciousness of the individual, but I think these notions often come as a response to a greater artistic context. For example Abstract Expressionist painting may attempt to capture the essence of raw creative power but I feel that the need for the expression of this creative power is greatly influenced by the restrictive nature of preexisting artistic techniques.
I am also interested in the section of chapter 6 or 7, I don't remember which, that dealt with the mythologizing of the artist. I have always felt that there is an aspect of art that deals exclusively with power. The entire idea of separating artistic creations into degrees of quality implies a position of authority which makes me uncomfortable. I believe that in many ways the idea of the artist has been cultivated into something that is supposed to discourage the creative ability of the average person. Artist, with their much lauded idiosyncrasies, are set apart from the normal in a way that stigmatizes the notion of the artist and limits the overall creative potential of societies in their entirety.

Thoughts on Chapter 6 and 7

I like many other people have trouble tapping into my own talents and blazing down the avenue of creativity is pretty scary. I found chapter six to be interesting not only because of the seven types of intelligence but also because of the different personality types. One of which, the mad scientist syndrome, where Erdos with all of his mathematical brilliance, couldn't cook, drive or do many things that normal every day people can do. I also found the explanation about artists or creatives rather than procuring personal "mature relationships", and mostly living without sexual fulfillment, because they gain satisfaction through reaching others with their work, fascinating and a little sad. I have always wished I was a musician or artist, but honestly the more I read, I have to say that at this point I am sort of glad I have not tapped into any hidden creative talents. It seems very lonely and grueling to be constantly creating and just down right torturous. For the simple reason of constantly wearing your heart on your sleeve and having to constantly display your emotion.

My First, First Love- Blog 3

I love writing. I first fell in love with writing such as storytelling and poetry when i was about 10. First i was writing about flowers, then i started writing about situations I've been through in life, places I've gone and dreaming of going. Writing is like a relationship to me, minus any physical activity because that would be just sick. I love hearing my own voice when I am reading my stuff because i know that no one is going to read it like me. As in a human relationship, i watched my writing grow, change and i don't have to pretend with my writing because I am the writer, i create my own world, my own way. Sometimes i forget that i have a body when i am writing because I am so into it. My father used to write poetry and stories about his life as a father, husband and a Muslim, I never knew that he wrote poetry until the day of his funeral, when my step- mother recited one of his poems that he wrote on his deathbed. I know now that writing is in my blood.

Posted for Erik

I must say that Julie has found a real gem of a book here. I am a creative person by nature, or so I thought, until I read these chapters. I am intrigued by the notion that environment can play such a huge role in the development of creative talents into productive working talents. The fact that Mozart’s father was a musician and his father’s ambition for music, which absolutely encompassed Mozart as a child, actually fermented his incredible potential into a master of music is fascinating. If it is possible for such a seed to be nurtured to greatness, then it is just as possible to stifle a seed of equal potential into nothingness or mediocre at best. I watched a show once on mass murder’s and it was titled, “Nature or Nurture”, something like that, well, I always said it was nurture and environment that caused them to go berserk and chapter six just reaffirms that position. If you are in the environment of eccentrics, you have a very good chance of becoming eccentric yourself, and the same goes for other personality types. Why is it that many people become like those of their ancestors or relatives? It was common for shamanism to run in a family and passed down. My grandfather and cousin, were and are, very visually artistic, those tendencies reside in me as well, which resulted in a degree in the visual arts.
\n\n\u003cbr\>\nI admire many artists, but only a few constantly draw me in and closer too like Picasso, Van Gogh, and Pollock. Picasso made some truly remarkable breakthroughs in the world of art. Many people do not understand his paintings or that of Pollock, saying what many say, “It’s just a bunch of squiggly lines, spatters of paint, crude renditions that a child would produce.” Well, page seventy-nine really articulates what a person in touch with – their voice – does. Picasso’s gives us a brief glimpse into his mind, how it works, and how his pictures are born…fascinating! I can relate with what is said by Picasso. In many ways it makes me relaxed to know that there is a rhyme to my reason, which was always slotted as…well…odd. It takes a different focus of mind to be creative from the subconscious like Picasso did. It takes great focus to paint like Renoir, a master of his age and visual niche, but there is a different focus that is utilized by artists such as Pollock, Picasso, and Dali. I think that good artists can paint what they see, break down the matter before them into realistic copies of themselves, but truly great artists, ones that push the boundaries of the abstract human mind, are those who pull images directly from that itself, their abstract mind.

I admire many artists, but only a few constantly draw me in and closer too like Picasso, Van Gogh, and Pollock. Picasso made some truly remarkable breakthroughs in the world of art. Many people do not understand his paintings or that of Pollock, saying what many say, “It’s just a bunch of squiggly lines, spatters of paint, crude renditions that a child would produce.” Well, page seventy-nine really articulates what a person in touch with – their voice – does. Picasso’s gives us a brief glimpse into his mind, how it works, and how his pictures are born…fascinating! I can relate with what is said by Picasso. In many ways it makes me relaxed to know that there is a rhyme to my reason, which was always slotted as…well…odd. It takes a different focus of mind to be creative from the subconscious like Picasso did. It takes great focus to paint like Renoir, a master of his age and visual niche, but there is a different focus that is utilized by artists such as Pollock, Picasso, and Dali. I think that good artists can paint what they see, break down the matter before them into realistic copies of themselves, but truly great artists, ones that push the boundaries of the abstract human mind, are those who pull images directly from that itself, their abstract mind.

Creativity

Before this week, I think that I have been confusing (in my mind) creativity with talent. I think instead of not being creative, I'm not talented in the things that I consider the epitome of creativity (music,art, poetry, etc.). Besides that sidenote, in terms of intelligence, I would classify myself as having interpersonal intelligence (understanding and being responsive to others desires, temperments, and moods). Which may explain why I have been a tutor, mentor, and babysitter. All of those jobs need someone who is going to be understanding to their moods, and temperments and the ability be of help to them.

I think that creativity as therapy is an idea that I have been familiar with throughout my life. My younger sister seems to think the world is out to get her and she draws, sings, writes to alliveate her "issues". She is so much more pleasent to deal with after she gets some of that emotion out. Also, I dated a guitar player (who wrote the songs for his band) and everytime we got in a fight, there would be a song about it the next day, but he wouldn't be mad anymore so it didn't bother me that there are about 50 songs about us/me.

Chapter 6

I also don't know what I am really good even though I know that everyone has something that they are good at. After reading this chapter, I feel that I have interpersonal and naturalist intelligence. I feel that I am a very generous person and I love animals a great deal. I guess these are forms of creativity.

I think it's amazing how the artists in this chapter delve into their work whole-heartedly. It seems like they let nothing get in their way, even love and sex. It makes me truly believe the notion that you can have anything that you want in life if you put your whole heart and mind into it.

It was also interesting how the book said that the desire to please one's parent is a major factor in an artist's motivation. I never thought about that before but it's definitely very true indeed. We all want to please our parents in some way. What better way than to better yourself in something that you already are talented in. What a great chapter!

Interpersonal Skills at work

Chapter 6 was really interesting beginning with the seven types of intelligences. I found myself going back in time and analyzing my previous life and work experiences and viewing some of them with the seven intels in mind. What I found was that working in retail sales really helped me grow my interpersonal intelligence. Working with people in a sales environment kind of forces you to put yourself in the customer's shoes, almost trying to hear what I am saying to them with their ears. This gave me a better understanding of what they might be thinking of the product/services I was offering to them. It was sort of an out-of-body experience; after years of perfecting my sales pitches, I could simply rattle it off (with style and persuasion of course) and at the same time have my mind jump into the customer's head to try to figure out how they were feeling about the product and possible sale. It became so routine-- almost like some of the artists disconnect from their bodies through passion for their work. I always felt there was more to intelligence than I.Q., an artistic approach in humanity.

I Am Intelligent In More Than One Way

The other day I got an assignment in my Interpersonal Communications class that I had to draw/symbolize one of my skills/talents. I took a deep breath and thought to my self, " I'm not very good at anything." Last spring when it came time to finally deciding on a major for college I thought the same way. What I'm I good at? I can't draw, I'm just okay with math, and I definitely can't sing. After reading Howard Gardner's list of seven "intelligences" that are linked to personality, it made me feel really good! Gardner's seven "intelligences" include: linguistic, logical - mathematical, musical, spatial, bodily - kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal and naturalist intelligence. After all, according to Gardner I do have some special things about me. I have great bodily - kinesthetic intelligence (physical coordination), I have interpersonal(the ability to understand others) and intrapersonal (to understand myself )skills. Maybe I shouldn't feel down on myself just because I can't sing great or pick up a pencil and draw a beautiful picture. I found it helpful to learn about these seven talents that Gardner came up with. Now I can start looking at my talents in a different way.

Is it Nature or Nuture?

I found the contents of Chapter 5 to be especially concerning the different types of personalities and intelligence, as well as the issue of nature versus nuture. I think the different types of personalities and the nature vs. nuture issue go hand in hand. Some individuals have certain personality traits and talents that are genetic-based, while others have traits that have been ingrained into their being by their lifestyles and environment. In the case of musical talent, I think both nature and nuture hold a part in the final product. For example, as stated in the text, Mozart's father was a musician. I think that Mozart acquired his talent both from being raised in a home where music was a predominant force, as well as working hard and having a natural knack for composing music.

Here is an interesting write-up concerning nature versus nature and creativity.

Intelligence

There are several backgrounds to creativity. It can be intellectual, musical, mathematical, or naturalist to name a few. A person may or may not have a family member who has a profession or talent that is part of their creative personality. Or something like music was part of their everyday culture and they picked up on it through "nature and nurture". Something becomes part of a person's creative personality when they are usually exposed to it one way or another, and it catches their interest. The person can then sometimes only focus on the thing that they enjoy such as painting or creating music that it can be challenging or healing to them. They may create a piece of technology such as a vehicle or light bulb, or discover a solution to a mathematical problem or a solution to saving an animal and its habitat.

Where Does Music Come From?

I like the point that Josh brought up about appreciating something more if we have to work for it. I think by nature, humanity gets too bored or complacent without having to struggle to some degree. The question that still lingers for me after reading chapter six is whether the creativity is innate or the talent is. Or maybe they both are, I don't know. For the most part, I don't think musical talent is something people are just born with, though. Like the book pointed out, being a musician takes vast amounts of self-discipline and dedication. There are few people who don't have to struggle to play as well as they do. That doesn't necessarily mean you will be able to compose good music, though, and the ability to arrange and compose music is the aspect that I believe comes naturally to people. I've known of several people who are wonderfully creative when it comes to writing music, but awful when it comes to actually playing it. This split might be unique to the medium of music. What is a painter to do who can come up with wonderful concepts but is incapable of executing them? At least in music, you can still become a songwriter even if you can't perform music to save your life.


I was also interested, like a few others, in the personal isolation of many artists. I've read many interviews with different musicians who say they can't have relationships because they are married to their music. The most notable example for me is the English singer Morrissey (http://www.morrisseymusic.com/). He has lived in the musical limelight for the past twenty-three years, all the while proudly living a life of apparent celibacy. His lifestyle also goes along with what the book was discussing regarding the mythology of creation. In many circles, Morrissey is considered a musical legend (he doesn't play an instrument either, which illustrates my earlier point), yet very little is known about him. He is probably the most private rock star in recent memory. This could be dismissed as shyness, but if you pay any attention to his lyrics, this man is far too vain for coyness; he stays so quiet and private to create mystery, to create a mythology about himself. Some have considered him the musical embodiment of Oscar Wilde, and Wilde once said, "Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask and he will tell you the truth." It just makes you wonder how much of the pleasure we derive from art comes from this shroud of mystery surrounding the creator.

Love at First Sight

Mary Jane, don’t feel alone, I have always desired to learn to play an instrument, but don’t seem to have the talent or patience for it.

Some people seem gifted enough to simply pick up an instrument, paint brush, or pencil and use it to create wonderful art. On the other side of the spectrum, some spend their entire lives studying and practicing to be able to craft one amazing work. I wonder which is more gratifying, being able to create with ease or have to work hard to. As I stated at the beginning of this post, my strengths are not musically inclined, but I think…I know that if I were to force myself to learn to play, I would feel far more gratification from that accomplishment than from doing something I am naturally good at. But, that is only common sense, we always feel better when completing something we had to work hard for. Whether working on something we are naturally good at or something we had to spend years learning to do doesn’t matter. At the moment we begin to use our imagination and creativity we feel exhilarated.

Ever since childhood I have loved to write, and after reading in chapter 7 that many artists love there imagination more than anything else, I found myself concurring. I’ve always loved my independence and ability to imagine the unimaginable. When I feel I am in a good flow while writing, I am the happiest person in the world; when I have writer’s block, I’m the most frustrated.

Creativity really is a love affair. You have your great moments and your bad ones; but in the end, no matter how angry you get, if it is true love, you always come back to each other.

Musical Intelligence

It takes a special intelligence to be musically inclined. Unfortunately, this is something that is an area of weakness for me, but I do have an appreciation for music. It has certainly become a second language to some of my family members. My mother is an excellent pianist and though I enjoyed piano music, I was never followed in her footsteps. It has certainly become a second language though for two of my younger brothers. Both brothers had music lessons in elementary and high school, plus having a parent that has a strong dedication to music helped them in the area of music. One brother is very good on the drums and guitars, while the other one plays a saxophone, guitars and the keyboard. They truly have Musical Intelligence, because they not only perceive and appreciate the music, but can also produce rhythms and melodies on several different instruments. They are able to “make the music exist, or create”, where I can only appreciate the various types of music, including Classical, Country, Pop and Rock. I also have an appreciation of my mother’s era of music, which was the 1930’s and 1940’s music.


Chapter 7 tells us that it depends on the nature of the society into which he or she is born, which is most certainly true with Musical Intelligence. This is true with not only my brothers, but also with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. His father was a court musician and as you probably already know, he started playing the keyboard at the age of four. What true and gifted Musical Intelligence Mozart had!

I think it's funny that we're reading a book that's trying to explain in neat little terms the ideas of art and creativity... the things that I've always enjoyed being mystical and magical and beyond words. At PS Altoona, I had a couple of pretty cool art profs, of course, as most art teachers are. And they were always sorta wonky and different, I envisioned them as art embodied. They are the presence of art and creativity in human form, not explainable in so many words, but something that you have to experience to understand it. If anyone who is reading this is an artist in any way, than this chapter was for all of us. You all know the feeling of needing to get something off your chest, so you set up your easel, or your charcoals, pottery wheel, or just a notebook for writing. And you feel so much better once you're done. Art is... relaxing. If you let it be that way. Of course there are some people that just want me to Interpret Interpret Interpret art and beat me over the head with it... but if it is just left alone, it is beautiful. Pure. Absolute.

I love what Pablo Picasso said about being an artist. "Whether he likes it or not, man is the instrument of nature; it imposes its character, its appearance upon him..."

And there's the inevitable feeling that Stephen Spender put perfectly into words. "At the moment when art attains its highest attainment it reaches beyond its medium of words or paints or music, and the artist finds himself realizing that these instruments are inadequate to the spirit of what he is trying to say."

Week 3 Post

I'm so entrigued by the creativity, imagination, learning capacity, and natural wonder of a child. Watching my soon to be 2 year old daughter Grace grow and learn and try something new every day has been such an experience, and a real eye opener to what creativity is to a blank slate. Watching her play and take part in teh socialization process (that she has no idea she's been exposed to) really causes me to want to learn more about children's minds and the way they learn. It's especially awe inspiring when I question why I don't have memories of my younger years, and how I wish I did. Most don't have memories before age 4, due to the way our brains grow and change from infancy to being a toddler, and becoming a child. But I think it's just so amazing how kids can have such imagination, and as Hughes says, slip from reality to fantasy without difficulty. Is this why Grace's "best friends" are Elmo and Dora the Explorer? Does she see them as real? Think about them? I wish I could get inside her head while she's playing and see what's going on in there as she runs around, without one single focus or any kind of stress. Her innocence and not having the slightest idea what's going on in the world or never having seen evil is a wonderful thing, that I wish she could keep forever. Even just pondering the imagination, playfulness, and creativity of a child might do us all some good!

The journey so far

I have found these seven chapters so far to be an encouragement. An encouragement to embrace the idea that what we consider reality could just be an assumption. It could be that I am thinking with a sledge hammer, but it's quite possible that there is another world. A world of transcendent forms, beyond the sensory,material world in which we find ourselves.