I find it pretty interesting how we try how best to preserve how we are perceived by others, especially in regards to our sanity. This can be found evident in the conformist theory, whereby, most people tend to go for the popular option or trend.
When taking a look at creativity, It is observed that creativity often times run contrary to the conformist theory. Creativity often involves standing out from the crowd but the process or journey of standing-out does come with its struggles when it comes to public perception.
ARE YOU INSANE?
This is a question often asked when someone does something totally outside the box and non-conformist, in an effort to preserve the traditional definition of sanity. A creative person can be exposed to such criticism. I'm trying not to cheapen the severity of mental illness but in this scope of my discussion in regards to creativity, I would like to say that sanity is overrated.
For instance, The mad genius paradox by Simonton DK, tries to talk about a connection between the mental state and creativity. Although when taking a closer look at this paradox, it does not have a great impact in the creative world because it is mostly linked to extremely creative genius which is about 1% of the whole creative world.
Even though creative people are often times medically sane there still lies a social implication of being tagged crazy when people are exposed to an extremely creative person. That is where the non-conformity comes in place.
SEEING THINGS THAT AREN'T THERE
We often take pride in our perception, how we see, hear, taste or feel, but our perception can oftentimes be flawed. we are poor data receivers, that is why we have to rely on technology and methods of measuring perception the right way.
Even though our senses of perception is very poor compared to other creatures around us, In our everyday living, supposedly "sane" and "perfect" perception is often praised and cherished.
But in the creative world, it seems to be the opposite, the theory of imperfect perception is totally embraced. In fact, many creatives even go to the extent of taking substances to induce hallucinations.
It's no wonder, hallucinations are cheerished in the creative community because in order to create something unique or out of this world, you cannot rely on the normal things you see around you.
The process of creation often times involves seeing things that aren't there, hearing things in your head, a state that could be likened to insanity, the ability to draw from hallucinations and translate them into finished works is what makes creativity to stand out.
Thanks for reading my friends, until next time :-)
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I like this idea of creativity being tied to hallucination and the idea of “seeing things that aren’t there”. Thought-provoking post. :)
Thanks for reading. am glad you enjoyed it... :-), I'm still working on my submission to your contest. definitely hoping to contribute.
Awesome, looking forward! <3 There’s still more than 24 hours on the clock, haha.
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I've often been called crazy, thought I was crazy (and maybe I am), but I've never heard it stated quite like this before. I like how you've taken something that is a very different perspective and made me think!
the non-conformity in creativity is what causes other to label it as crazy. Thanks for reading and dropping a comment. :-)
It really is an interesting topic you cover here. Put love and creativity together and it helps to keep us sane. Orherwise, who knows?
"In the attics of my life
Full of cloudy dreams; unreal
Full of tastes no tongue can know
And lights no eye can see
When there was no ear to hear
You sang to me" - Attics Of My Life: Jerry Garcia/Robert Hunter
Thanks for passing by and dropping a comment, am glad you enjoyed it :-)
I disagree that one "can't rely on the normal things they see around them" for creativity....
good point. but my main point is to discourse the link between creativity and hallucinations( i.e: imagination, dreams, etc) it is not a this vs this topic, ofcourse there are other disciplines of creativity. but vastly in the creative world. imagination in form of hallucinations is much more priced. as It is oftentimes self-induced by creatives.
thanks for your reading and input :-)
And i'm saying that i just don't think all great artists trip as much as some people think they are/did. But i def agree with what could occur with it. Did you catch my post on microdosing by chance?
I just read up on that topic, interesting, when you say "trip" I believe you meant taking substances, which I also talked about in my post, but I believe hallucination is not dependent taking substances, There is a reason musicians usually close their eyes and hear symphonies in their head while creating, or a painter staring at a blank canvas seeing his final product before even the first stroke. human already possess theta waves that can be generated from the brain, even DMT can be naturally secreted from the brain.
Taking substance can be a means to an end, which could boost imaginations, but I am talking about the end. and the reasons hallucinations is vastly priced in the creative community. LSD to me is overrated as a means to trigger hallucinations. we just want a cheap, trendy and easy way out, just pop some pills and end up in dream land, hence you have the LSD culture. have a look at this video and tell what you think.
True about DMT but right now some studies are showing a massive release of DMT right before death.
Very interesting video though
Interesting theory about death and DMT makes you think about the afterlife and how we perceive it. glad you enjoyed the video.
Such a thought provoking post! I really like it! :)
Thanks for passing by :-)
I think it makes perfect sense that the people we look to be the most creative, or talented in one particular thing are quite often highly dynamic in the phases that aids this talent or creativity. Many people think that chemically induced tours of the psyche is a way to find their masterpiece, but really having the intuition to get that on command our through introspection of current reality and possibility of implementation. If that makes sense?