I’ve been thinking about this for awhile. After realizing how social media platforms (mostly TikTok for me) had completely hijacked my creativity and thoughts, I deleted it. I know I’m a very creative person and want to express myself through many avenues, but I’ve been struggling with it. Should I even try if every idea has already been thought and made? Is it really even mine if it’s been inspired by something else, whether consciously or subconsciously? Expressing myself has felt trivial in the past because it wasn’t truly “original”. But this article definitely reshaped my thinking. Of course every work was inspired by something or someone else. But that shouldn’t discourage others from creating. It should be used as fuel to turn it into your own. Thanks for this 🙏🏾
Thank you so much! I‘m glad the essay resonated and could inspire you to create. Creativity is such an unique experience, but if you never start creating, you’ll never know what is possible.
I liked the idea that originality isn't about creating from nothing. I agree with you there. I've been thinking of originality as how we integrate what we're exposed to. Something that's normal in one evironment can look original in another.
Funny timing, I actually wrote a short note about originality/newness a of couple weeks ago.
Thank you! Originality in relation to its (and other) influences and environments is an aspect of many theories and ideas surrounding the topic. The thought of what we’re exposed to and what we find normal is really interesting!
Interesting perspective! My first thought would be that it depends on what you want to create and what access you have to which sources. Perhaps the many options are not as much the main "problem," but rather the way we are interacting with them.
Originality is not the creation of something from nothing, but the emergence of new meaning from what already exists.
When information is endless, creativity flattens; when attention deepens, originality reappears.
Perhaps the most radical act today is not to invent more but to slow down, endure boredom, and allow the mind to connect differently.
I’ve been thinking about this for awhile. After realizing how social media platforms (mostly TikTok for me) had completely hijacked my creativity and thoughts, I deleted it. I know I’m a very creative person and want to express myself through many avenues, but I’ve been struggling with it. Should I even try if every idea has already been thought and made? Is it really even mine if it’s been inspired by something else, whether consciously or subconsciously? Expressing myself has felt trivial in the past because it wasn’t truly “original”. But this article definitely reshaped my thinking. Of course every work was inspired by something or someone else. But that shouldn’t discourage others from creating. It should be used as fuel to turn it into your own. Thanks for this 🙏🏾
Thank you so much! I‘m glad the essay resonated and could inspire you to create. Creativity is such an unique experience, but if you never start creating, you’ll never know what is possible.
So true!!
I liked the idea that originality isn't about creating from nothing. I agree with you there. I've been thinking of originality as how we integrate what we're exposed to. Something that's normal in one evironment can look original in another.
Funny timing, I actually wrote a short note about originality/newness a of couple weeks ago.
Enoyed reading this :)
Thank you! Originality in relation to its (and other) influences and environments is an aspect of many theories and ideas surrounding the topic. The thought of what we’re exposed to and what we find normal is really interesting!
looking for more in near future Tony Z
great point love Tony Z
Thank you!
Interesting perspective! My first thought would be that it depends on what you want to create and what access you have to which sources. Perhaps the many options are not as much the main "problem," but rather the way we are interacting with them.