1/26/2006
Gaping Void: How To Be Creative
Excerpt from the excellent article.
8. Companies that squelch creativity can no longer compete with companies that champion creativity.
Nor can you bully a subordinate into becoming a genius.Since the modern, scientifically-conceived corporation was invented in the early half of the Twentieth Century, creativity has been sacrificed in favor of forwarding the interests of the "Team Player".
Fair enough. There was more money in doing it that way; that's why they did it.
There's only one problem. Team Players are not very good at creating value on their own. They are not autonomous; they need a team in order to exist.
So now corporations are awash with non-autonomous thinkers.
"I don't know. What do you think?""I don't know. What do you think?""I don't know. What do you think?""I don't know. What do you think?""I don't know. What do you think?""I don't know. What do you think?"
And so on.
Creating an economically viable entity where lack of original thought is handsomely rewarded creates a rich, fertile environment for parasites to breed. And that's exactly what's been happening. So now we have millions upon millions of human tapeworms thriving in the Western World, making love to their Powerpoint presentations, feasting on the creativity of others.
What happens to an ecology, when the parasite level reaches critical mass?
The ecology dies.
If you're creative, if you can think independantly, if you can articulate passion, if you can override the fear of being wrong, then your company needs you now more than it ever did. And now your company can no longer afford to pretend that isn't the case.
So dust off your horn and start tooting it. Exactly.
However if you're not paricularly creative, then you're in real trouble. And there's no buzzword or "new paradigm" that can help you. They may not have mentioned this in business school, but... people like watching dinosaurs die.
Via: Gaping Void
8. Companies that squelch creativity can no longer compete with companies that champion creativity.
Nor can you bully a subordinate into becoming a genius.Since the modern, scientifically-conceived corporation was invented in the early half of the Twentieth Century, creativity has been sacrificed in favor of forwarding the interests of the "Team Player".
Fair enough. There was more money in doing it that way; that's why they did it.
There's only one problem. Team Players are not very good at creating value on their own. They are not autonomous; they need a team in order to exist.
So now corporations are awash with non-autonomous thinkers.
"I don't know. What do you think?""I don't know. What do you think?""I don't know. What do you think?""I don't know. What do you think?""I don't know. What do you think?""I don't know. What do you think?"
And so on.
Creating an economically viable entity where lack of original thought is handsomely rewarded creates a rich, fertile environment for parasites to breed. And that's exactly what's been happening. So now we have millions upon millions of human tapeworms thriving in the Western World, making love to their Powerpoint presentations, feasting on the creativity of others.
What happens to an ecology, when the parasite level reaches critical mass?
The ecology dies.
If you're creative, if you can think independantly, if you can articulate passion, if you can override the fear of being wrong, then your company needs you now more than it ever did. And now your company can no longer afford to pretend that isn't the case.
So dust off your horn and start tooting it. Exactly.
However if you're not paricularly creative, then you're in real trouble. And there's no buzzword or "new paradigm" that can help you. They may not have mentioned this in business school, but... people like watching dinosaurs die.
Via: Gaping Void
1/24/2006
Illustration: Yuko Shimizu
I Found this picture through the Drawn! blog. Yuko made my day much better so I thought I'd share the happy feelings.
1/23/2006
Moohaha-ahahaha
A risk of total collapse
We would be foolish to take for granted the permanence of our fragile global civilisation
Is it possible that global civilisation might collapse within our lifetime or that of our children? Until recently, such an idea was the preserve of lunatics and cults. In the past few years, however, an increasing number of intelligent and credible people have been warning that global collapse is a genuine possibility. And many of these are sober scientists, including Lord May, David King and Jared Diamond - people not usually given to exaggeration or drama.
Dylan Evans
Friday December 23, 2005
Via: Guardian
We would be foolish to take for granted the permanence of our fragile global civilisation
Is it possible that global civilisation might collapse within our lifetime or that of our children? Until recently, such an idea was the preserve of lunatics and cults. In the past few years, however, an increasing number of intelligent and credible people have been warning that global collapse is a genuine possibility. And many of these are sober scientists, including Lord May, David King and Jared Diamond - people not usually given to exaggeration or drama.
Dylan Evans
Friday December 23, 2005
Via: Guardian
Peak Oil Report: Half of Kuwait Oil Reserves Disappear
This article via Treehugger says that Kuwait was fudging the amount of oil reserves left there. The number was at about 99 billion barrels and the real figure is about 45 billion. Some say Saudi Arabia is fudging their totals as well...
Link
Link
I'm In Awe
1/20/2006
Parent Hacks
I just signed up for a feed from the folks over at this blog. They have some interesting suggestions for getting by as a 21st century parent. I must say that Food Stamp Mamas could kick their asses.
Link
Link
1/17/2006
Lucid Dreaming
This is a great adaptation for getting the most out of the third of your life you spend sleeping. I've only had fleeting moments of lucidity in my dreams soon slipping into semi-lucidity. What the hell am I talking about!!??
"Lucid Dreaming is knowing that you are dreaming while you are doing it. When you know that you are dreaming, you can also alter the dream course. And with practice you can also develop full control over your dream, you will be able to create and change the environment and change your own appearance. It will be you that are in control of the dream scenario. You can do whatever you want to do. Live out your wildest fantasy, or just sit down and chit chat with someone. You should also be open for the possibility to share dreams and travel in time and space when you develop adequate control over your dreams. The word Lucid means that you have a clear and full consciousness. And believe me when I say that Lucid Dreaming can be much more fun than waking reality."
From brain.web-us.com Link
Update: After reading this article through, I found it very entertaining but some of the claims seem questionable. I decided to include a link to some peer reviewed research here.
"Lucid Dreaming is knowing that you are dreaming while you are doing it. When you know that you are dreaming, you can also alter the dream course. And with practice you can also develop full control over your dream, you will be able to create and change the environment and change your own appearance. It will be you that are in control of the dream scenario. You can do whatever you want to do. Live out your wildest fantasy, or just sit down and chit chat with someone. You should also be open for the possibility to share dreams and travel in time and space when you develop adequate control over your dreams. The word Lucid means that you have a clear and full consciousness. And believe me when I say that Lucid Dreaming can be much more fun than waking reality."
From brain.web-us.com Link
Update: After reading this article through, I found it very entertaining but some of the claims seem questionable. I decided to include a link to some peer reviewed research here.
1/16/2006
Adapt: Please Stop Driving
If this seems unresonable to, I'm not suprised. That's doubly so if you live in Vermont. Never-the-less, it's only logical. The car and those who cannot do without them are obsolete.
A few reasons why...
Internal combustion developed around oil because it took little effort to produce. Heck, the stuff comes right out of the ground. But what seemed to be an endless supply is not. It's not just the black gunk coming out of the ground, but the complex, expensive, and resourse intensive process of turning it into a usable fuel. It won't take much to drive the price out of reach for the majority of folks. It's already out of my reach, but that's not saying much. Ween yourself off the oil habbit now and it will be easier when the time comes.
-Riding your bike is fun and makes you smile; cars make you insane and want to kill.
-Bikes are cheap to maintaintain, cars will suck your wallet dry with repairs, gas, and insurance.
-Bikes are stealthy and quiet, cars put you under constant surveylance and legal liability.
Holy crap! I could go on like this for pages. I guess it's time to let you chime in.
A few reasons why...
Internal combustion developed around oil because it took little effort to produce. Heck, the stuff comes right out of the ground. But what seemed to be an endless supply is not. It's not just the black gunk coming out of the ground, but the complex, expensive, and resourse intensive process of turning it into a usable fuel. It won't take much to drive the price out of reach for the majority of folks. It's already out of my reach, but that's not saying much. Ween yourself off the oil habbit now and it will be easier when the time comes.
-Riding your bike is fun and makes you smile; cars make you insane and want to kill.
-Bikes are cheap to maintaintain, cars will suck your wallet dry with repairs, gas, and insurance.
-Bikes are stealthy and quiet, cars put you under constant surveylance and legal liability.
Holy crap! I could go on like this for pages. I guess it's time to let you chime in.
1/03/2006
Art Space Idea- Foster a Culture
I find that the key element to creating 'draw' is fostering a cult. Everyone knows that the best and cheapest form of promotion is word of mouth. But what does that mean and how do you 'make' it happen?
The Firehouse Gallery does a great job answering this question. They have workshops, kids' programs and independent films. There is a reason to go back there on a regular basis. Firehouse is publicly funded, which puts limits on what they can exhibit and this puts a damper on creativity. I go there all the time but it doesn't always meet my needs in terms of inspiration.
The Old Spokes Home and The Outdoor Gear Exchange are a couple of local businesses which seem to have it figured out. Again they have reasons to go back on a regular basis because of their flea market appeal. You never know what treasures you will find hiding in their depths. You will find something interesting if you check back often enough. If you read blogs, you're probably familiar with this idea.
So, what can be picked up from these or other examples that would make the art space you would want to go to everyday?
The Firehouse Gallery does a great job answering this question. They have workshops, kids' programs and independent films. There is a reason to go back there on a regular basis. Firehouse is publicly funded, which puts limits on what they can exhibit and this puts a damper on creativity. I go there all the time but it doesn't always meet my needs in terms of inspiration.
The Old Spokes Home and The Outdoor Gear Exchange are a couple of local businesses which seem to have it figured out. Again they have reasons to go back on a regular basis because of their flea market appeal. You never know what treasures you will find hiding in their depths. You will find something interesting if you check back often enough. If you read blogs, you're probably familiar with this idea.
So, what can be picked up from these or other examples that would make the art space you would want to go to everyday?
12/30/2005
Art Space Idea
I ran into a friend at the magazine rack and we started talking about our mutual affinity for lowbrow/surreal/graffiti art. It seems that this type of work is making it's way into "legitimate" art galleries along with comic art and illustration. This is less than breaking news to many. There used to be a gallery here in the Burlington area called Lineage that dealt in such wares. I believe they moved to Philly. I can see why because, in my opinion, galleries don't have much draw in this town. The average experience in a BTV gallery is one of poking your head in and then promptly ducking out. This could just be me, of course.
The conversation turned to the question of "What creates the draw to keep people coming back and hanging about in Burlington?". I think there are other art venues and businesses in the area that have tapped into what works here. Many examples come to mind but if anyone has any ideas or disagree with me than please post them in the comments.
This post claims to be about an idea. I did, in fact, wake up the next morning with a fully formed idea but it will be more interesting to roll it out in successive posts. Hopefully it will include the input of commenters and turn out totally different from what I came up with.
The conversation turned to the question of "What creates the draw to keep people coming back and hanging about in Burlington?". I think there are other art venues and businesses in the area that have tapped into what works here. Many examples come to mind but if anyone has any ideas or disagree with me than please post them in the comments.
This post claims to be about an idea. I did, in fact, wake up the next morning with a fully formed idea but it will be more interesting to roll it out in successive posts. Hopefully it will include the input of commenters and turn out totally different from what I came up with.
