drugs and creativity

This chapter is a bit interesting. It is sad to think that so many people, whether or not they already had a natural creative talent, used drugs. In some cases it may have enhanced their talent, while others did not do as well or better than before addiction. From opium to marijuana, mushrooms, and LSD; people used them to experiment with and even used them for health reasons. Unfortunately many drugs were and are addictive and sometimes when a person has them, the dosage they use increases to keep the same effect because the body starts getting used to the drug. People would just use it for its supposed calm or high effects, or just to fit in with the crowd.
Some drugs like opium were produced and used in many forms. It was even given to children as medicine like laudanum or cordials to put them to sleep. Some writers and poets such as De Quincey, Coleridge, and Poe were users. Even though they noted there "madness" in some cases from the addiction, they kept taking it. They all did write some of thier bestpoems while under the influence, yet not always. It gave some of them a better sense of creativity and ideas to help with different writings.

link to magic mushrooms...sort of

here is an article I happened upon: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071029/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_mushrooms_dutch;_ylt=Aqq4HZFi0mgXkKq7xkVcgZRvaA8F

Are you Experienced?

"If you can Just get your mind together,then come on across to me. we'll hold hands and then we'll watch the sun rise from the bottom of the sea."
I don't endorse drug use of any kind however, does anyone else wonder if Hendrix didn't take an acid trip what would "Spanish Castle Magic" sound like? What would "The End" sound like if Morrison didn't have that bottle of Whiskey? would the lyrics be the same if their "reducing valves" as closed as ours?

Experiences and Newness

“Cocaine may or may not have assisted [Walt Whitman] in his business decisions, but its contribution to his creativity is not clear.” This rather bad written quote of the authors seems to sum up well Chapter 12. We do not know whether or not the drugs have any direct connection to increased creativity. Most of the authors and artists he quotes state that their respective drugs do not help them actually create anything new, but give them different experiences/ideas. They experience something new. It is interesting to note that they seem to see a difference between experiencing something new and creating something new.

One of the key points in Chapter 12 is that the drugs used by certain generations are representative of their cultures; if he had backed this up more perhaps I would give it more credence. I’d have to say that the drugs used by certain generations are more dependent on what is available at the times, and what is known about the drugs available. Based on the drugs and cultures the author gives descriptions of, it seems their use is based more on them being “new” to the society. People have a tendency to want to try out the “new” thing. The newness tends to wear off as the harmful effects are realized and “new” drugs are discovered/created. This is not to say that drugs have had no affect on the generations they are being taken by.

Blog 9 - DRUGS!

I was really glad that we finally got to a chapter that focuses solely on drugs and effects of them individually - whether it be in normal life or creativity. It seems we've danced over a few topics through the semester, but this chapter brought to life some new ideas. For one, Sherlock Holmes did cocaine?! I never knew. I was also interested to learn about different writers, artists, creators, etc. who used drugs to enhance their abilities, and for some (like Poe), lead to their downfall. Would the world accept knowning that Walt Disney did drugs? Is it okay because there weren't laws forsaking it? I think that our culture has created problems for itself by placing such stigmas on natural drugs. I feel differently about synthesized products, and the harder drugs such as heroine and morphine than I do about marijuana or "magic mushrooms", and I wonder all the time if we would look at people, art, and life differently if it weren't shoved down our throats all the time that drugs are bad! I'm not condoning drug use, don't use drugs myself, but look at some of the work that has come out of their use! It's hard to ignore the ability a certain drug might give a person, from music to painting, and I think especially writing. So since there were no laws against narcotics in the 19th Century, we are able to enjoy these creative ventures which in many cases are unsurpassed, even today. Maybe we should loosen up a little? Strike a happy medium? Easier said than done, I realize, but I did appreciate the many topics in this chapter that brought me in to each drug, allowing the reader to see what each might do, positive and negative effects on creativity and life.

Cool picture . . .

http://tonova.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/hellboy_drinking_with_skeletons.jpg

Blog 9 . . . You Wanna Make Something Of It?!

I think it's just me, but I could be wrong. It could also be what Dr. Kearney said in a different class: this is the time in the semester when students tend to feel less motivated. No Fall break until Thanksgiving week and when you get back from that, you only have two weeks left in the semester. There's a ton of work in front of me and I'm finding it hard to push. Possibly I need a good stiff drink. Or an upper instead!

For me, as I've said before, I just don't get the whole drug thing. I have never tried psychotropic drugs and any experiences with other drugs was short-lived and unimpressive. I have had a pretty ordinary life. Nothing I feel any great need to escape from. Things I would have done differently? Without a doubt. For me though, the short-term escape into drugs never offered much temptation. Part of it might be control issues. I like to know things. Where I'm going, who with, etc. If the drugs are "in charge" than I am not and that would be tough to handle.

My biggest addiction would be buying books that I do not have the time to read. I have subscriptions to magazines and comics, I constantly join, quit and rejoin book clubs to get more free or cheap books, I pick up the newspapers on campus and all of these sit and wait for me to have the time. I just counted 43 books. Books only. That is an addiction, not a"bad" one I guess, but all of these books cost something. If not actually money, then time and the guilt that I have not the time or the motivation to do more. Sometimes it drives me to drink.

As for the chapter . . . it held my interest, enough to read it, it had a nice flow, cool pictures of trippy musicians and movies and it got me thinking about all the stuff I wrote above, not neccessarily anything connected with the chapter. That may well be the essence of good writing, you finish what you are reading and then carry on from there with what you just read as a springboard to other places.

I have a drug addiction!! Coffee! Sheeda I completely understand your addiction to chai tea and not being able to function with out it. That's how I am without a cup of coffee. Thankfully our addictions are legal!
I truly emphaize for people with a drug addiction. I have known many people that form drug addictions and have ruined their life. Drugs are a very powerful substance and can completely take over your mind.
I'm doing a research paper in my philosophy class on marijuana. Should marijuana be legalized. I'm learning some interesting facts about the herb. Marijuana has been proven to help with many medical conditions. I keep questioning why the FDA can approve morphine for people, but not a natural herb. Using marijuana to alter your mind is a completely different subject. On the research I have done so far, marijuana is not addictive, but can cause you to have memory loss and develop ADD.
My thoughts on cocaine and heroin are that they can competely ruin one's life!!

Coke

Sherlock Holmes was on Cocaine? Wow, I never knew that!

“Cocaine brings about an exhilaration and lasting euphoria which in no way differs from the normal euphoria of the healthy person... You perceive an increase of self control and possess more vitality and capacity for work... Long intensive mental or physical work is performed without any fatigue... The result is enjoyed without any of the unpleasant after effects that follow exhilaration brought about by alcohol” (Freud 174).

Cocaine may have been very popular during the 1980’s because so many young adults sought a way to “get rich quick” or to get ahead in life. “The drugs confidence-boosting, energizing qualities made it the drug of choice for the generation of the fashionably-selfish young people of the Thatcher-Reagan ascendancy” (174).

I can remember the term “yuppy” used to describe polo shirt wearing, 20 something, golf-playing, energized young men of the 19080’s. LOL, my Dad uses this term today... The wide spread use of certain drugs, during certain time periods, typically seems to reflect upon societies needs or interests. Music and literature from different eras have been influenced by certain drugs; Acid during the 60’s, Marijuana during the 70’s, and Cocaine during the 80’s.

I can also remember hearing somewhere that the original Coca-Cola contained Cocaine. Therefore, I did some research and found, “Until 1905, the soft drink, marketed as a tonic, contained extracts of cocaine as well as the caffeine-rich kola nut”(Bellis 1). I also found a really interesting we site which explains how the Cocaine was added to Coca-Cola for medicinal purposes. This address tells the whole story: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomitheos/508314603/

But, when it was discovered that Cocaine is addictive and causes anxiety, it was removed from the formula. But, its replacement caffeine, also is addictive...

My Addiction to Chai Tea

In Chapter 12, Hughes talked about drugs, addiction to whether its coffee or cocaine and i though that he was talking about because when i am addicted to chai tea and if i don't have my chai tea in the morning, i am a nervous wreck. Since i never tried heroin, speed or cocaine, i would never how they make feel so i am addicted to what i love best. When i drink chai tea , i feel like i could type a millions papers and memos for my classes, but when i don't have it, i become a tea feen just like a person withdrawing from a drug.

Drugs and Jazz

Reading and Southpark

As humans we are naturally drawn to patterns. We seem to love them and look for them in everything. We even try to see them where none exist. The brain even sends signals in patterns of 40 Hz oscilation bursts. After reading this chapter I immediately thought of something on how you can get to creative tendancies. It made me think of a bottle of something my room mates had called Absinth. Now I did not part take of this drink because there was a picture of a man without an ear on it. It was van Gogh. I heard the story of how he used this as a muse for his paintings and along with his girlfriend made him cut his ear off. (Yeah this is something I want to try. Maybe I can cut my nose off.) My friends spoke of this as liquid mushrooms. I was intrigued but I will still not try this drink.

Now I also saw something on tv this past week about an altered state. It was the tv show Southpark in which the characters caught a lerperchaun. They ended up going to imagination land where everything that the human mind created lived. Fairy tale characters, dragons, cereal mascots, the care bears etc all lived there. The land was full of fly of garrett mushrooms. There was a second part of this imagination land where the nightmare creatures lived. Now the show goes on about terrorist attack to kill the imagination and everything but the show resumes with part 2 tonight at 10 and part 3 next Wednesday at 10.

Chapter 11

There were a handful of ideas that I found interesting in this chapter. One of which was the assertion that "artist are attuned to resonances that chime in with their own." I know the author may not have meant for this comment to apply exclusively to aesthetics, but it is there that I found the most interesting implications. For example I have always felt drawn to artistic works that deal with non-representational or non-narrative themes, such as the paintings of Kandinsky or the short stories of Robbe-Grillet. This comment made me think that perhaps there is something within me that drives me to favor these types of work as opposed to some quality of style within the work that I was drawn to. As I contemplated this I began to look back on the chapter and found that most of the passages I had initially highlighted were related to that same aesthetic value that I was drawn to; namely the work of art as "a reference to something else, inspiring emotion for that thing, but as a thing in itself."

Chapter 11

When I was reading other people's blogs, it seemed like some people disliked the chapter. It's not that I loved it or it was my favorite, but I thought it was interesting. It also was a lot better than chapter 10 so I'm sure that helped its case. Of course, like everyone else, I enjoyed the section on hypnosis the most. In the beginning of the blogs I mentioned that my stepfather was a numerologist, so I was predisposed to this kind of material from a young age. He also owns an entertainment company which contracts out hypnotise, so again I've been around these people most of my life (I was 4 when my stepfather moved in). That said, I completely believe in it. However I also think people fake it. I know I mentioned this in an earlier class, but I was always taught that if you can "lose" yourself or "zone out"(for instance while driving and seconds or minutes later you realize you don't actually remember driving but you still are on the right track) you can be hypnotised.

At the all night senior party at my high school, they always had a hypnotise. They start with like 20 random people and start to "weed out" the people to get like 5 or 6 people who can fall into the deepest hypnosis and start making them do weird things. I know I read in someones blog that they were in something like this and couldn't be hypnotised. For most people it's not that they can't be hypnotised, it's usually that they won't allow themselves to let go completely (I wouldn't even go up to try because I had no idea what they would make me do in front of all of my classmates). Anyway, I know that people also use hypnotism for diets and to quit smoking. Although I don't know if all of those people are hypnotised or if it's psychosomatic.

Complete and utter distraction

It's sad that I can't get completely excited about reading Hughes anymore. Everything that I read I think, hey wait, didn't I read that earlier? The only time that I get really excited while reading is whenever he mentions an author, artist, poet, or pop icon that I like.

I understand how much everyone loves van Gogh's art... I guess because he's one of the most well-known in the world. Of course, we've all heard the stories about his life and how it reflected his art... so of course it has been "extensively investigated." I'm kinda at the point now where I think, so what if he had some mental retardation, or slept with his sister, or ate only locusts and roaches (I made these up)? His art is just beautiful. And that's all I find myself thinking about now. I want to leave the theory alone and just admire his paintings. How he takes that horse-hair brush and forms the perfet blend of linseed oil and midnight blue paint... sweeping it across a canvas, putting dots of it here and there, in between dashes of other colors. More than that, it is how the paint makes me feel when I look at it that it astonishing.

Hughes mentions John Keats and quotes him with "Negative capability... when a man is capable of being in uncertainties, mysteries, doubts, without any irritable reaching after fact and reason." Keats has a poem called "Eve of St. Agnes." If you've never read it... you should read it before you graduate... or before the end of the year... or now!

And let's not even start on William Blake. He is the everyman. This dude is political and sentimental, a painter and a poet, empowered by the Bible but ultimately a mystic. His paintings are of scenes from the Bible, or aggressive illustrations of the Bible's characters. He is the kind of person I want to look up to, try to understand better, or even become like him. Why? Because he's damn sure of who he is, which is more than I can say for myself.

I think the point of this blog was to demonstrate how off topic my mind flies when Hughes babbles about the same things, or writes in circles and loses his reader. It's hard to listen to all the brain research when a chapter that we read is titled Structures of the Mind, and it clearly explains the brain and its functions dealing with altered states.

PS - Those interested in mandalas (the history is fascinating), watch "The Last Mimzy." There is so much more to our world than what we can see with just our eyes.

Who's to Say?

I find myself, again, at odds with a seemingly minuscule, and easily overlooked part of this chapter. First of all, I feel as though we've been over nearly all of this before today. The drugs have been a part of this course since the very beginning. That is why I am writing about a line that was missed even by myself the first time that I read it.

The second sentence in the second paragraph reads: “Puritanism apart, it is generally agreed that art made while on drugs is often less good than art done ‘cold.’” It goes on to explain that the experience may be worthwhile to draw upon in the creative process, but that is not what I’m concerned with. To make a statement like that, even leaving it open ended, as Hughes does, I can’t help but get rubbed the wrong way by this statement. It’s saying that the art itself is not enough to stand alone; we must know how it’s been created in order to rank it. Which is what I really don’t like about that statement, it suggests that some art is better than other art. That statement goes against the very nature of art. I’ve always thought of art as subjective, not objective. Art is good for the personal reasons of the artist and the personal reasons of those viewing it. Who’s to say one piece of art is better than another because of the state of the creator? Hughes probably didn’t realize the implications of this statement when he added it and was simply looking for a segway into his next point, but it really rubbed me the wrong way.

[Yawn] Oh, Yeah... Chapter 11

With complete honesty, I did not like chapter 11. I have to agree with Brian and say that I don't like the title Ways to Creativity. These are ways to altered states of consciousness, but they seem to lump the two together in the title. I'm sure that in many cases it does, but, nevertheless, creativity does not necessarily come along with an altered state of consciousness; I think the book actually warns us not to make that assumption. Furthermore, I just didn't seem to find many of the concepts interesting.
Hynosis seemed to be the only part of this chapter that caught my eye, and, looking at the blogs, I'm not the only one who feels that way. It's a very interesting and controversial topic. Many people beleive that it, to put it blantantly, is a load of crap. Others beleive it is an acceptable accent to and alternative form of modern medicine. Personally, I'm not sure how I feel on the subject. I have never seen anyone hypnotized or been hypnotized myself, so I do not think it would be fair to pass judgement, but I am open to just about anything. After doing a little informal research, I found a branch of hypnotism, self-hypnotism, to be the most interesting. Some people claim to put themselves into a hypnotic trance. Most articles claim that the hypnotist is really just a guide and tutor in the experience; they are not absolutely necessary. Many accounts claim that self-hypnotizing is a door to creativity for them. They are more succeptable to imagination when in that altered state of consciousness.
Are meditation and other similar practices just other forms of self-hypnotism? I would have to say yes.

Thoughts on Chapter 11

Though chapter 11 has not been my favorite of all of the chapters there were certain aspects which I found interesting, particularly the section on dance and movement. I believe that dance is one of the most beautiful art forms, whether it is ballet, salsa, tribal dancing, etc. I love that fact that dancing is not just merely moving your body, but it also tells stories and conveys emotions that most people find rather impossible to communicate through face to face verbal interaction. I agree with Hughes when he states "dance is the movement of access though the trance state into the other worlds." Hypnosis has always been a little fascinating to me. Of course when I think of hypnosis, shows such as Maury Povich or hypnosis shows in Las Vegas, which make people do vulgar acts, however I do know that hypnosis is much more than that. I did not know that people in hypnotic states are able to alter their skin and body temperatures and also that their pain threshold is much higher. Though Hughes states that whether hypnosis is beneficial for the creative process is unknown, I think the fact that is helps to look into deeper emotional states and help confront suppressed fears and conflicts should help to open the door to creativity.

Belated blog from 10/17

After actually being caught up on the right chapter and reading it again, I find that the connection between sex or rather sexuality and creativity to be fascinating, especially in regards to the sadomasochism, particularly the part where Hughes talks about men and women using sexuality as a means of power rather than pleasure. It is difficult for me however to see the link between sadomasochism and creativity, maybe that is mostly because I do not understand it. As I stated in a the previous blog I think that muses, icons and sex goddesses serve as a great source of influence in creativity such as Marilyn Monroe, Jackie Kennedy Onasis, or any other female that inspired anyone during their creative process.

Hypnotizism

I found this chapter to be interesting partly because of the discussion on page 158 about hypnosis. I've tossed around the idea about wondering if someone can really hypnotize another individual. I'm not sure if I can completely grasp this vision of someone being in such an altered state without some other type of medium used such as drugs, alcohol, etc. I had an interesting discussion with a friend of mine during the week. There was a commercial on TV for a new television show called Phenomenon. We both knew about Criss Angel and just in general some of the stuff that 'magicians' so to speak have done in past years. We got on the topic of hypnosis and he was completely critical and cynical about the possibility of hypnotizing someone. He didn't believe it was possible. I'm the type of person that even though I haven't seen something or experienced something out of the ordinary, I'm not going to completely rule it out and say it isn't possible. However, this type of action boggles my mind. I'd like to see someone being hypnotized just so I can be proved wrong and that it really does happen and also can affect your mind and influence situations!

Hypnosis

This chapter definitely caught my attention and interest. A trance-like state that resembles sleep but which is induced by a hypnotist whose suggestions are readily accepted by their subject. Some supposed hypnotic indicators and subjective changes in mental state can be achieved without relaxation or a lengthy induction by means of simple suggestion or waking hypnosis, a fact that increases the controversy and the misunderstandings which exist around hypnosis and the hypnotic state.

I'm going to be honest. I, for some reason, cannot be hypnotized. One time, in high school, we had a hypnotist come into the auditorium, and a bunch of us went down to be hypnotized. For me, with the crowd laughing and making loud shouting noises. I couldn't hear the guy's instructions, and had to leave the floor. I have yet to be hypnotized, but I am open to try again some day.

Blog # 8 from Erik

Blog #8 The section of this chapter called good vibrations struck - a chord – with me. The notion that everything has a vibration and similar sound at its core, parallels the zero point theory we discussed last week. The zero point theory suggests that everything we know is made of light, well, does light have a vibration to it as this section describes? The resonance of the big bang throughout the universe is very logical in my opinion, but does the zero point theory debunk the notion of sound altogether? If so, then what this section describes as “primal sound” is actually light, not sound! Hmm…. We have not discussed the string theory, but the basis of that is at the heart of what this section mentions. Everything is made up of vibrating strands of “something” and the vibrations of those strands, both individually and as a group, make up everything from air to dirt; even the vacuum we call space is not really a vacuum but rather filled with these vibrating strands.
\n\n\u003cbr\>\nThe fascinating part, and truly simplistic base of the zero point theory from what I can understand of it so far, is that if it is fact, everything is instantly explained and there no longer is much mystery behind anything. Perhaps the entire unexplained phenomenon contained within and surrounding certain facets of our society are glimpses of the human mind, reality, and existence slipping past our reduction valves for periods. I believe we are all blinded by a learned rigidity of thought governed and solicited by societies at large. I also think that we begin being annexed into this process from the moment of birth and is completely inescapable – unless at some point the person slips through a door of perception and avidly seeks to block our defaulted reality in order to connect with what fills the space around what we know.\n\u003cbr\>\n\u003c/font\>\u003c/span\>\u003c/td\>\n\u003c/tr\>\n\u003ctd colspan\u003d\"2\" width\u003d\"575\"\>\u003chr noshade size\u003d\"1\"\>\u003c/td\>\n\u003c/table\>\n\u003c/div\>\u003c/div\>\n",0]
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The fascinating part, and truly simplistic base of the zero point theory from what I can understand of it so far, is that if it is fact, everything is instantly explained and there no longer is much mystery behind anything. Perhaps the entire unexplained phenomenon contained within and surrounding certain facets of our society are glimpses of the human mind, reality, and existence slipping past our reduction valves for periods. I believe we are all blinded by a learned rigidity of thought governed and solicited by societies at large. I also think that we begin being annexed into this process from the moment of birth and is completely inescapable – unless at some point the person slips through a door of perception and avidly seeks to block our defaulted reality in order to connect with what fills the space around what we know.

Music, Dance and Movement

Music and dance can be a release of energy and can also be pleasurable. When I was reading about the section on dance and movement, I was reminded of the traditional wedding; with it’s music, walks and dances.

When first attending the wedding, the music is solemn and serious. It has a wonderful melody to it, mostly religious. When the bride is about to enter the church, the music suddenly picks up and becomes louder. The beat gets faster, as she makes her way down the aisle. Then there is a song, or two, during the ceremony, adding to the heightened emotions of the captured audience of wedding well-wishers. Finally, the recessional is played and the bride and groom rush out of the church together. All the energy stored up in everyone during the ceremony is starting to be released.

It is now time for the reception. Music and dance release more energy for everyone. At the reception, the song and dance can be seen as an art, ritual and also recreation. The art will be when some couple steps up to the dance floor and does a waltz. Perhaps it will be the bride and groom that dance this waltz. The ritual is always the traditional father and bride dance. Then of course we cannot forget the recreation and fun of dances like the Mexican Hat Dance, Chicken Dance and the Electric Slide. Of course, there could be a little bit of unhappiness experienced, because some loved ones are no longer here to experience the joyous occasion. Many types of Altered States will be experienced before the joyous occasion ends.

Mind and Music

Chapter 12 was an interesting Chapter, especially when it talked about brain and vibrations. It mentioned Rodolfo Llinas who compared it to a "well-tuned musical instrument", and the complexity of chords. The fact that we are different from other animals because of the way our brain is set up allowing us to have capacity and and ability to imagine and be creatives. We are able to think and find reasons, uncertainties, and more.
Sometimes we need a little help and through relaxation by meditation or rhythem such as music and dance with certain beats a person can reach an altered state. The brain is even compared to a harp with different types of strings that produce different tones or responses. Music has been around for ages and is part of many cultures and religions. It is an easy topic to compare to the brain because of all the varieties and results of it. Our brain has the ability to think and realize things in different ways and allows us to act on it. Just like music we can be happy or sad, boring or romantic. Music as well as other art can represent the artist's mood towards something. It can also take the listener out of one mood and put them in another depending on the beat and tones of the rhythem.

MIndfulness and Hypnosis

I thought the part of this chapter about meditation was particularly interesting. What I always considered 'meditation' probably hasn't come close to as it is described in this chapter. Imagine being completely relaxed and still, but yet senses you rarely practice are pushed to the front of your consciousness and self awareness becomes incredibly acute. Similar to a state of hypnosis? Quite an altered state, and I suppose many people who have suffered from an illness or injury have experienced something similar to this feeling.

I had a hard time buying the 'animal magnetism' concept--hypnotism is quite real, but I don't know if we should give credit to Mesmer for simply stumbling upon it. Since he did not perfect it (can it be perfected at all?) then the pioneer label is somewhat generous in my opinion. Hughes states the altered state of consciousness known as hypnosis doesn't necessarily facilitate a greater sense of creativity (p. 159), however it may be a gateway to the part of the brain (however indirectly) that could lead to the creative "right."