Here is an outtake from Scott Adam's blog
http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/the_best_way_to_kill_creativity/


Maybe this can be applied to hard work and effort altogheter, and not just creativity. When we reach our goals, we kill our drive. I wonder if this might have an effect on society as a whole. The decadency thing all over again, that when a cultur become to succesfull they stop reinventing themselves and thus eventually lose competition with the up-and-rising cultures.

This is all very gloomy and pessimistic, but I wonder if this is a natural thing. That you need the downs to get the ups, and if the ups get to frequent you'll get tainted.

Any thoughts?

_________________
Is the cup half-full or half-empty? Neither, the cup is the rightful domain of air,
and water are the imperialistic invader that must be fought by all means neccesary.
Drink it.

Material prosperity may be achieved, but hardships remain. Look at the boundless harm human emotion causes... if creativity does require suffering then I don't feel it's in any danger of running out. I like to believe though that creativity can spring from joy just as easily as pain.

From my experience, I often become more aware of things after rough times. More aware at details and the beauty of everyday stuff I so often take for granted.

_________________
Is the cup half-full or half-empty? Neither, the cup is the rightful domain of air,
and water are the imperialistic invader that must be fought by all means neccesary.
Drink it.

i don't really agree. i think creativity can come from any strong emotion or interesting idea or when you've figured out a good process for your work. productivity comes from discipline.

some of my favorite albums have been break up albums (blood on the tracks, rumors) but others like fleetwood mac's self titled and sgt. peppers came at a time when the bands were pretty happy.

i agree that achieving success can make you lazy and distracted. i know that's what would happen to me...

I agree with everyone that's disagreeing.

If we assume it's inherent that strong emotions cause creativity (or allow for it), then a hard life will have creativity fueled by that. But if you get your emotions from positive sources then you still have creativity fueled by emotion.

What Scott appears to be showing are some cognitive biases (which I think are more prevalent with weaker coping mechanisms, which are common among people with anxiety problems).

- Availability heuristic – estimating what is more likely by what is more available in memory, which is biased toward vivid, unusual, or emotionally charged examples.
- Confirmation bias – the tendency to search for or interpret information in a way that confirms one's preconceptions
- Negativity bias – the tendency to pay more attention and give more weight to negative than positive experiences or other kinds of information.

But he's an excellent comedian so we forgive him.

Also, hello INFPverse.

Also, sorry about the necropost. Didn't notice my topic display was backwards. Bad default IMO.

Good points there, newbie. (And no worries about the necro-post, personally I like seeing old topics revived with fresh input).

_________________
What would the world be, once bereft
Of wet and of wildness? Let them be left,
O let them be left, wildness and wet;
Long live the weeds and the wilderness yet. - Gerard Manley Hopkins

We're all pretty much necrophilic here.

Or is it just me?