2 Creative Freedom

I wonder if everyone really loves freedom or not. If they do really love freedom, then why do they not exercise it. People continue to live in the same standardized rut, which brings them nothing but misery and sorrow. One form of freedom that only a few on the planet actually exercise and enjoy is creative freedom.

Before delving further into the concept of creative freedom, which is a dimension of freedom, let us also simultaneously examine a particular related dimension of poverty. More often than not we consider the absence of money or wealth as poverty. Sometimes we consider the absence or shortage of friends and other loving relations as poverty. Relational poverty is what humans are subjected to as their punishments by removing them from society and restricting them into a prison cell. Relational poverty is very damaging for us since we are social animals. We have evolved to remain connected and cohabit in nearby localities. The one dimension of poverty that we almost never talk about or discuss is the poverty of ideas.

The dimension of poverty of ideas is serious because we are living in an era where ideas are the currency. Any person who suffers from poverty of ideas is nothing but a zombie. And there is no point talking about creative freedom to zombies since zombies have only one idea that guide them. They exist in singularity unlike us. Zombies are devoid of any ability to exercise creative freedom. That’s because they don’t have any scope or margin for creative freedom. But we are humans. We have creative freedom. Our issue is that despite possessing creative freedom, we simply are not cognizant of it and even when we are aware, we choose not to put it to use due to lack of motivation and laziness.

You have a choice to make before proceeding ahead. The choice is between being a zombie or a human… What do you want to be?

If you chose zombie, then I wish you the best. But now there is nothing whatsoever that you and I have to discuss any further. So, until and unless you undergo a change of heart go away from this book. Now if you chose human then I give you a further choice to make. Do you want to be a human with creative freedom or one without creative freedom?

Once again if you chose to be a human without creative freedom then I wish you good luck. There is nothing that you and I have to discuss any further until and unless you undergo a change of heart. Bye till then.

If you have chosen to be a human with creative freedom, then let’s play because you and I are going to be new best friends!

First thing to keep in mind is that all forms of poverty will bring misery and deprive you of sound sleep and steady smiles. Poverty of ideas too have similar consequences as the poverty of money and friends, misery. We have come together so that together we can ensure that you avoid the misery.

As we go through the process, Something I want you to unquestionably believe right away without even an iota of doubt is that you have, at your disposal, unlimited and boundless potential. This is due to your brain. Our brain is unfortunately confined in the low ceiling narrow corridors of convention. We live and die pretty much in our silos of safety and confines of conformity. But more about these in the upcoming chapters. The only thing I want you to know at this point is that we are creatures of habit, drawn to the familiar, the predictable. Such unquestioned adherence to the known ultimately shackles our creativity, plunging us into a state of intellectual and artistic poverty of ideas.

Human beings fear the unknown. Most don’t venture anywhere near the uncharted territories of imagination. The unknown, the uncharted, and the uncertain make us uncomfortable. It gives us the heebie jeebies. This is also the reason why new ideas and new approaches, with their inherent uncertainty are met with resistance. Clinging to the prevailing established norms, to the tried-and-tested is preferred and in times of blind dogmatism also labeled as wisdom. Fearing that venturing into the unfamiliar might lead to failure, ridicule, or even social ostracism is a cost that humanity has been dearly paying. Fear of the unfamiliar breeds a profound intellectual laziness. And when this laziness takes over, it’s literally like being  paralyzed. Generally, what I feel sad about is that we rely on existing frameworks, on pre-established patterns, instead of pushing the boundaries of our own understanding.

The result is nothing but a pervasive poverty of ideas. Our world and many societies and communities within are suffering from a stagnation of thought where innovation becomes a casualty. It is so unfortunate that every university and school and every other government program is explicitly required to promote creativity and innovation. But then what they don’t realize is that unless the requirements of the outside world are different the education world and government are also not going to be able to respond differently or produce anything different. We consume information without truly engaging with it, accepting pre-packaged narratives instead of forming our own unique interpretations. This can be directly seen from the astronomically high number of influencers mushrooming everywhere. Earlier there were human influencers, now there are virtual influencers that are powered by AI. Influencers are nothing but external heuristics. Heuristics are internal mental shortcuts. But now these internal shortcuts are being hijacked externally. We rely on suggestions and reviews about selecting everything from a movie to food to national park to hotel to flight to university and even a partner. All this contributes to the poverty of ideas.

But then on the flip side it is also possible that technology will take over that frontier. Humans will develop technologies that will thing creatively on the human’s behalf. It will be abounding with ideas. We have already gone through many forms of cognitive atrophies such as not having to remember phone numbers, not remembers routes and ways due to GPS, and more. The available technologies are so incredibly reliable that we just don’t need to know anymore how to get from one place to another. Even if someone tries to give us direction, we find that annoying and ultimately, we just say that why don’t you send me the google location, I will find it on my own. The interesting thing to keep in mind is that we have stopped differentiating between our intelligence and google maps intelligence. This synergy and symbiosis are only slated to grow. My issue is that we were already struggling in this area and now we are noting but sitting lame ducks waiting to be zapped.

True creative freedom lies beyond self and society-imposed limitations. It demands a willingness to question, to challenge, to break free from the shackles of the familiar self. Creative freedom requires us to embrace the unknown, to cultivate a sense of wonder, fascination, and curiosity. It necessitates a willingness to fail, to learn from our mistakes, and to rise again, stronger and more determined. Yet, we rarely cultivate this kind of intellectual courage. We are too easily swayed by the opinions of others, too afraid to stand out from the crowd. We prioritize conformity over authenticity, comfort over growth. We succumb to the tyranny of the status quo, failing to recognize that true progress, true innovation, arises from the fertile ground of dissent and rebellion. In this chapter and the course, we don’t want to bother too much about the society and go rebel against it. This is because we are only and exclusively concerned with our own self. Rebelling and dissenting against the self are what we need to focus on at the moment. The self is one of the three vertices of the Triangular theory of creativity, which was introduced by Robert Sternberg. The focus is and has to be on the self. All that I was talking about previously is possible only and only when you are not a zombie. If you want to enjoy your existence as a zombie, then simply continue to live life as you do. You don’t need me.

If you choose me then I issue this fair warning to you that this is not going to be an easy path. Breaking free from the poverty of ideas requires a conscious effort. It demands that you cultivate a spirit of inquiry, that you actively seek out new perspectives, and that you challenge your own assumptions. It requires you to embrace the discomfort of the unfamiliar and this will happen only when you step outside your comfort zones and explore the vast landscapes of the unknown. This will demand courage, perseverance, and a willingness to confront your deepest cognitive structures. When the strain is so high, the rewards are also immense. By breaking free from the shackles of convention, you will have a real shot at unlocking your true potential. You will be able to unleash your inner torrent of creativity that can transform not only your life but also of the world around. However, in here we only concern ourselves with our own self.

The journey towards creative freedom begins with a single step. Robert Sternberg uses the word defiance. I interpret defiance more as an attitude than a trait. Defiance to me is a willingness to question, to challenge, to break free from the confines of our own cognitive structures. Because the fight is with our own self, it is also a worthy one. It is only in the midst of this fight you will truly understand what does being dull, uninspiring, and unpredictable do to you.

Poverty of ideas describes a lack of creativity, innovation, or intellectual depth in a particular field, discussion, or societal context. It can refer to a stagnation of thought, reliance on old, unoriginal concepts, failure to generate new solutions or perspectives, signifying a lack of creative or intellectual vigor.  Let us look at the chief reason for this poverty and the resulting underutilization of creative freedom.

The Funnel of Standardization

The concept of the Funnel of Standardization helps understand the forces that influence human behavior and cognition on a global scale. The “funnel” metaphor suggests that individuals, regardless of their geographical and cultural differences, are gradually shaped by common structures and instructions that ultimately narrow down the diversity of cognitive experiences, leading to greater uniformity. In this context, two significant standardizing mechanisms—parenting and education—play pivotal roles in shaping individuals’ thought processes, actions, and interactions with the world around them. These mechanisms, operating throughout a large part of our formative lives, subtly guide us toward common ground, ensuring that we all grow up with similar ways of meaning making, information processing, analyzing data, interpreting and interacting with the world.

Parenting

Parenting is inarguably the first and most influential standardizing mechanism that molds us from an early age. While there are undoubtedly cultural and regional variations in parenting styles much of core parenting is fundamentally similar across the world. If you do a meta-thematic analysis of all the teachings that all the parents impart to their children irrespective of their region, religion, language, and culture, you will realize that only a few themes that emerge. These teachings often revolve around morals values and social skills. Moral teaching includes concepts of honesty, fairness, respect, kindness, and sharing with other.

Even in societies with different religious or cultural practices, these parenting lessons often share common threads. The ultimate goal is to ensure that children become well-adjusted members of society, capable of navigating their environment in socially accepted ways. As a result, despite the vast array of cultures and traditions, children around the world are nurtured to develop comparable skills and a shared understanding of how to live.

Parental influence acts as the first narrowing mechanism in the Funnel of Standardization. Whether in the bustling cities of New York, the villages in Africa, or small towns in Southeast Asia, children are exposed to the same foundational lessons, irrespective of their surroundings. These lessons form the basis of an individual’s worldview and behavior, making people, in many ways, more similar than different.

Education

The second major force in the Funnel of Standardization is education. While the influence of parenting is ongoing, education simultaneously comes into play and it further narrows the ways in which we think, process information, analyze data, and interpret the world around us. Education systems—regardless of the country or specific curriculum—share certain core objectives. These objectives aim to standardize the way individuals acquire knowledge, apply reasoning, and engage with information.

From early childhood education to higher levels of academic learning, education systems all around the world tend to follow a structured process where students are trained to think analytically, process information in standardized ways, and interpret and understand the world.  Education systems emphasize critical thinking, requiring students to evaluate information, make decisions, and draw conclusions based on logic and evidence. The curriculum is designed to narrow down the vastness of knowledge into specific subjects, frameworks, and methods that make learning more manageable and accessible. For instance, whether studying mathematics, history, or science, there are globally recognized ways of teaching these subjects that all students across different nations follow.

Education imparts commonly accepted interpretations of history, society, culture, and the natural world. Students around the globe are taught the same scientific theories, mathematical principles, and historical narratives, leading to a shared understanding of various subjects. The formal education system, whether in public or private institutions, essentially funnels the way we process, interpret, and respond to the world in a manner that is consistent across individuals. While there may be some regional or cultural differences in the curriculum or teaching methods, the overarching structure and goals remain largely the same. The very nature of standardized testing, curriculums, and academic expectations ensures that individuals are all operating within a similar framework of knowledge and analysis, regardless of their original background.

Education, as a standardizing force, acts as the second narrowing mechanism within the Funnel of Standardization. It prepares individuals to participate in a globally interconnected society, where there are certain shared expectations and norms regarding how knowledge is acquired, processed, and applied.

The Emergence of Similarity

When combined, the effects of parenting and education lead to a significant level of convergence in how individuals around the world think, process, and interact. Depending on the culture both these last for anywhere between two to five decades. Parenting and Education ensure that, despite cultural differences, there are shared patterns in the development of individuals, resulting in a global society with individuals who are largely similar in their cognitive frameworks, emotional responses, and social interactions.

One way to look at this is that in a world where we are exposed to vast amounts of information and varied experiences, the influence of parenting and education functions as a stabilizing force that helps individuals find common ground. Parents across cultures instill basic principles that serve as a foundation for their children’s worldview. Education further refines these principles, narrowing the scope of how we think and engage with the world. This aids us in successfully navigating our life and the world. If I look at it differently, then as a result of undergoing parenting and education, individuals worldwide share a common intellectual and moral framework that transcends cultural boundaries, ensuring that we are more alike than we realize.

The Funnel of Standardization, with its two key mechanisms—parenting and education—reveals how individuals from diverse parts of the world can evolve into similar beings despite initial differences. Through these universal influences, people are shaped into individuals who, at their core, share similar ways of thinking, interpreting, and engaging with their surroundings. Hence, we are more alike than different in ways that we don’t fully comprehend.

Who are you? A Victim.

It is because you have been through both of these that you are a victim. You had not control and you were for your best interest with best intentions were subjected to them. You had no idea that this was the case and hence I say that you are a victim. But this is the last time when you can claim victimhood because I have opened your eyes to this fact. You have now been sensitized. You have now been made aware about two forces that contributed in you becoming a zombie. Until this moment you were a victim. After this moment it is your choice if you remain a victim. You have the option of not being a victim and my humble and sincere recommendation to you will be to take reins in your hand and shirk off this victimhood. Join me in understanding things further and walk on the path of creative freedom. Let’s delve deeper into the nuances of creative freedom and the barriers that hinder its attainment.

How to overcome Creativity Paralysis

The creative spirit, a flickering flame within the human heart, is susceptible to the chilling winds of doubt and fear. Sometimes, this flame dwindles, becomes a mere ember, and ultimately threatens to extinguish entirely, leaving us trapped within the labyrinth of creativity paralysis. It’s a state of suspended animation, a frozen tableau where ideas wither on the vine, and the potential for expression remains tragically unrealized.

To navigate this labyrinth, we must first understand its architecture, the intricate network of psychological barriers that hold us captive. At the heart of this labyrinth lies the formidable fear of failure. This fear, a primal instinct honed by millennia of social conditioning, whispers insidious doubts into our ears. “What if they laugh?” it hisses, “What if they judge?” The imagined specter of public humiliation looms large, casting a pall over every creative impulse. We become prisoners of our own anxieties, afraid to risk the vulnerability inherent in artistic expression.

Closely allied with fear is the insidious tyrant of perfectionism. This relentless taskmaster demands nothing less than flawless execution, an unattainable ideal that transforms the creative process into a grueling ordeal. Every brushstroke is scrutinized, every sentence dissected, every note judged against an impossible standard. The joy of creation, the spontaneous delight of exploration, is sacrificed at the altar of perfection. We become trapped in a cycle of endless revisions, forever chasing a phantom of unattainable excellence.

The labyrinth is further complicated by the overwhelming maze of information overload. In our hyper-connected world, we are bombarded with a ceaseless torrent of stimuli, a cacophony of voices and images that can overwhelm the senses and paralyze the mind. The sheer volume of possibilities, the endless array of choices, can lead to a state of analysis paralysis, where we become so entangled in our own deliberations that we are unable to act. We become lost in the sheer magnitude of potential, unable to discern a clear path forward.

Sometimes, the labyrinth is shrouded in the desolate landscape of inspiration drought. The wellspring of creativity, that elusive source of fresh ideas and novel perspectives, can run dry. Stress, burnout, and a monotonous routine can deplete our reserves, leaving us feeling empty and uninspired. We wander through the labyrinth, searching for a spark of ignition, but the air is thick with stagnation, and the flame refuses to ignite.

And then there’s the insidious presence of self-doubt, the whispering serpent that coils around our confidence and poisons our belief in our own abilities. We internalize the critical voices of others, transforming them into our own relentless judges. “You’re not talented enough,” the serpent hisses, “You’re not original.” The belief in our creative potential erodes, replaced by a gnawing sense of inadequacy.

These internal demons manifest in a variety of ways, transforming the creative process into a torturous ordeal. Procrastination becomes our refuge, a temporary escape from the daunting task before us. We postpone the inevitable, clinging to distractions and delaying the moment of truth. The blank page syndrome mocks us with its emptiness, a stark reminder of our creative impotence. We stare at the blank canvas, the empty screen, the silent instrument, and find ourselves utterly, frustratingly, stuck. We become trapped in a cycle of constant editing, endlessly revising and refining, never achieving a sense of completion. We hoard ideas, afraid to commit to any single one, paralyzed by the fear of making the “wrong” choice. And above all, we are left with a pervasive feeling of being stuck, adrift in a creative limbo, unable to navigate the labyrinth.

But the labyrinth of creativity paralysis is not an impenetrable fortress. It is a challenge, a complex puzzle to be solved. To find our way out, we must dismantle the mental barriers that hold us captive, one by one.

• Break it down. Large projects become less daunting when divided into smaller, manageable tasks. We transform the overwhelming into the achievable, the impossible into the possible.
• Embrace imperfection. Allow yourself to create “bad” art, to experiment without fear of judgment. The goal is not perfection, but exploration. Set time limits. Give yourself a specific period to work, forcing yourself to move forward, to overcome inertia.
• Change your environment. A new setting can spark fresh ideas, provide a fresh perspective.
•  Seek inspiration. Immerse yourself in the work of others, explore new experiences, engage with the world around you.
• Practice mindfulness. Quiet the inner critic, cultivate a sense of calm, and reconnect with your inner creative self.
• Just start. Overcome inertia by simply putting pen to paper, brush to canvas, fingers to keys. The act of creation itself can ignite the spark of inspiration. And above all, allow for play. Creativity should be a source of joy, a playful exploration of possibilities, a celebration of the boundless potential of the human imagination.

By understanding the architecture of the labyrinth and implementing these strategies, we can break free from its icy grip and reclaim our creative freedom. The frozen canvas can thaw, the silent instrument can sing, and the blank page can blossom into a masterpiece. The journey is not always easy, but the rewards – the joy of creation, the satisfaction of expression, the fulfillment of potential – are immeasurable. We can find our way out of the labyrinth, not by force, but by understanding, by compassion, and by a steadfast commitment to the creative spirit that resides within us all.

One way you experienced is through the alien exercise in the module. You must have noticed that a large amount of aliens are very much alike. They are slightly distorted or enhanced versions of human beings. AI too does the same mistake with the exception of a particular high frequency return of the color green for aliens. Some of the sense organs are invariably bigger.

Why is my alien like me is the key question you must ask. In the table below I have asked you some questions, provide responses after a thorough reflection.

Questions:

• Why is my bedroom like me?
• Why is my car like me?
• Why is my pet like me?
• Why is my work performance like me?
• Why is my social media presence not really like who I am?
• Why is my kitchen like me?
• What is my bathroom like me?

Draw diagrammatically what would you do and be if you had creative freedom?