The Daydream Manifesto
An exploration of sub-conscious inspiration
American Splendour: did utter mechanical boredom drive extraordinary creativity?
Years ago watching the brilliant movie American Splendour with a friend, we were struck that the incredibly 'creative' protoganist Harvey Pekar could fill his days working as a mind-numbingly boring and mechanical document filing clerk.
The obvious question: was this 'mindless' job a necessary pre-condition, indeed a crucial space, for him to be able to create his wonderful and highly original comics?Stimulated vs unstimulated creativity
I recall reading a book on creativity by Edward de Bono who proposed that when our minds are occupied by more thoughtless or 'mechanical' tasks, other parts of our brain are allowed to roam free.
This struck me as amazing because it appeared to be a recipe for 'managed daydreaming' (you know, that type when you don't happen to be lying in a lush, green field looking up at clouds drift by in clear sunny, blue skies).
Of course it is not as easy as that. And while de Bono makes this point well, he then pursues his (brilliant, ground-breaking) theory of 'stimulated' inspiration with a variety of innovation techniques.
I suspect however that there is a more subtle ground to be discovered.
One where 'unstimulated' creativity can be encouraged and indeed fostered. And not simply in the shower. But in our everyday lives, workplaces and environments.
Great (though dated) review of creativity models
Interesting that academia seems to have moved away from recognising the importance of 'sub-conscious' components to creativity models. The paper notes:
But those ideas keep striking me in the shower. It would seem there's a mismatch between current science and everyday practice.Read the whole paper here: http://www.directedcreativity.com/pages/WPModels.html
Older models tend to imply that creative ideas result from subconscious processes, largely outside the control of the thinker. Modern models tend to imply purposeful generation of new ideas, under the direct control of the thinker.
But those ideas keep striking me in the shower. It would seem there's a mismatch between current science and everyday practice.Read the whole paper here: http://www.directedcreativity.com/pages/WPModels.html
The Daydream Manifesto
Why do great ideas strike at such mundane times (like in the shower)?How important are these moments of so-called 'sub-conscious inspiration'?And in a world that increasingly demands such constant attention, can our lives be better 'designed' to foster radically more creative spirits?
These questions have been piercing my mind of late. They form the foundation of my (just starting) exploration of sub-conscious inspiration. I'm calling it The Daydream Manifesto.
