Posts Tagged ‘Creating’
Why “Genius” & “Talent” are dirty words!
There are a few words that describe a way of thinking about creativity that are particularly pernicious and debilitating.
Two of these words are “genius” & “talent”.
In some ways the perpetuation of the negative impact of these words is provided by many creative people and institutions. The words are useful as marketing tools, making the artist a rarity. While things and people with something to say, and advanced ability are not always plentiful it’s not enough of a reason to pay attention to someone. Plenty of really smart people never did anything. Plenty of highly skilled people squandered every opportunity they came upon. Using those two words to market someone or their work is a ploy that plays on the insecurities of others.
The impact of the use of these words in creative circles that is most destructive is how much it impedes those who are growing into seeing themselves as a creative individual. This perception of some as talented or geniuses and not problem solvers and working on things each and every day makes it difficult for students and novices to make an attempt. Once you achieve some level of success you’re still in this position of constantly comparing yourself and your work to some unattainable standard of greatness.
This kind of “frame” around approaching anything creatively can be and is sometimes debilitating, hence the cliche of the tortured artist always striving for something out of reach.
The thing is, any of the seriously successful and many of those we think of as examples of creativity didn’t spend time even considering their own “genius” or “talent”. Rather, they were looking at the market, the climate of their times, or their own passion for ideas.
If you spend all your time trying to convince others how good you are or trying to be something others expect of you, you’ve already lost.
Create what you’re passionate about. It’s all you can do. It’s the most you can do and it’s enough.
Please add your own insights. thanks.
Artist, Film or Video maker, Performer, Creative – Your own social network
This is the basis of your social presence and it should reflect what you’re trying to do as a creative. Sure you can put up some personal details and some background, but the content should reflect your goals and work you want seen.
Why have all these accounts? Well, if someone likes what they see they’re going to be likely to follow a link to your personal web site domain back to your blog or portfolio site where they can see more, right? In internet marketing terms this is called a funnel. The comparison is not entirely accurate because many, many people will never follow your posts back and of those who do not all will subscribe to your RSS feed or email list. You’re going to want them to do that to maintain contact with them. If these people really like what you do then they’ve filtered themselves and found their way to you and have accepted your invitation to read your feed or emails now and then…that’s the beginnings of keeping you and what you do on the minds of a community of people who find some value in what you do and that’s your goal, right?
As long as you’re posting useful and interesting content related to what you do and provide, those folks won’t be disappointed when they follow your links back to your domain. You’ll actually be assisting them to find work they’ve genuinely been looking for.
In this sense, technology has combined with creativity in one more way, in addition to whatever technologies you may already use to express yourself.
I personally believe that social technologies are becoming more and more inextricably linked to self expression. Some are using these things badly and some are being quite sophisticated about the use of these technologies.
Uses of these technologies by creatives for purposes of self promotion and finding and communicating with their audience does create some problems and there are ways you can misuse or not use this stuff as effectively as you might…more soon.
