Creativity and the "Genius" within.

[ochho]

I just watched another very interesting TED Talk, regarding "creative minds".

Here's the description, and the link:

"Elizabeth Gilbert muses on the impossible things we expect from artists and geniuses -- and shares the radical idea that, instead of the rare person "being" a genius, all of us "have" a genius. It's a funny, personal and surprisingly moving talk."

http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/eliza ... enius.html

Now, why I wanted to share this here, is mostly about the last part of this talk, when she talks about a "Glimpse of God" and she is talking about those ritual dancers who achieve a transcendental state of mind.

Now, I'm no artist..(Only thing that could ever be considered "creative" that I've done would be programming, and there, I think logic and rationality is more involved that creativity) but I think that this "glimpse of God" she talks about, we can also encounter and attain through the use of psychedelics. And maybe that's why, the majority of barrier-breaking artists (from musicians, to painters, to writers) have all had their share of experimenting with psychedelics.

To anyone who has ever engaged in a creative process, let me know what you think about this. Do psychedelics really inspire you, and act as some sort of muse?

In any case, this talk is very interesting, even though I wouldn't take all things she said to heart.

PLUR

 

[IJesusChrist]

I have found that my sobreity is by far more creative than a psychadelic state of mind. Serotonin for me inspires my artistic talent to far beyond that of psilocybin or DMT or THC.

Although I have seen a few pictures while on psilo that inspired art - they aren't something I want to express as much as what I see sober.

 

[ochho]

I see what you're saying here, but my question was more about the use of psychedelics, than while being in a psychedelic state. Frankly, while under the influence, I struggle to do do anything at all.

So to re-formulate, how would you describe the influence (if any at all) use of psychedelics had on your creative process and your work?

edit: This reminds me of Kary Mullis, a nobel-prize winner biochemist.

Replying to his own postulate during an interview for BBC's Psychedelic Science documentary, "What if I had not taken LSD ever; would I have still invented PCR?" He replied, "I don't know. I doubt it. I seriously doubt it."

 

[Brugmansia]

24/7 our consciousness runs it's default cognitive activity to register object orientation, shape, movements and depth. What follows spontaneously is a reflecting movement or expression (or just an inner thought) based on the simplicity of appropriateness.

Psychedelics just break the connection with this endless "1 dimensional reflection" of thinking, which runs invisible until one experiences a step back out of this circle. This is where the default cognitive activity is temporary set to its background (or even shut down) and the underlying cognitive activity may come to the surface. This hidden underlying source becomes palpable and it might have never been noticed by one's self before because the mind was always too occupied. Now if there is a hidden talent in this new discovered cognitive activity, it's just a matter of memorizing it and do something with it.

Btw Elizabeth, a tidy unit she is.

 

[IJesusChrist]

I still find my reply relevant - psychadelics don't help my creativity at all. Weed does, sometimes, but only if I am already in a creative mood...

 

[Jeniger]

As a musician, being on psychedelics, it expands all posibilities, i can drum with music and improvise endless automaticly(in a sober state this takes effort). I would say its just manifesting whats already inside... It will not create creativity but rather expands whats already inside. Just as u can learn insights about life in generall, it can give u insight in your or any kind of creative process. Lsd learned me a lot about how "sound works" as a producer.

 

[ochho]

Thanks for your reply Jeniger. I have a friend who drums too while we're tripping. Great improvisations and he can take us on some really great trips. But I was wondering, did you ever try to record anything you did while under the influence, and listened to it later while sober to see if it sounded similar? I don't know, but sometimes I feel that psychedelics bend reality way too much, and maybe what sounded so beautiful and transcendental actually isn't, but is just a fabric of your mind and it's "guests"

In any case, I understand what you mean when you say LSD taught you about how sound "works". I feel it has made me appreciate the greater beauty of music, and respect the harmony of its notes, as well as the complexity of its composition. And for me, Pink Floyd will always remain the ultimate example of breathtaking "sounds".


@Brugsmania: I understand what you're saying, and I've come to this understanding through my psychedelic experiences (although not many) and through cultivating myself about psychedelics (mainly through the internet, and this forum in particular)
But would you say that this "glimpse of god" that certain extraordinary creative minds have achieved throughout history is the same as the one we get to see through our use of psychedelics, or is it something different. And what makes it come out in those extraordinary artists, poets, musicians, painters? And if indeed, all of us do have that "genius" inside of us, what makes it manifest itself in others and not me for example?
Also, what do you mean by "a tidy unit"? I've been wondering all day

 

[BrainEater]

i find psychadelics alter creative capabilities and not creativity, therefore creative thinking can be labeled as an activity nurtured by continuous contraction and expansion of cerebal muscles or the lack of both going along with the intertwined combination of certain high and low frequency brain waves, accompanied by a feeling or observing presence in any case.
i wonder if animals could be creative too by that definition... probably only animals with something like a brain??? or could a fly have "the creative spark" behind its "eyes"??

peace :weedman:

 

[st.bot.32]

'creativity' is really just letting go of the inhibitions and programming drilled into us by society. i personally think 'creativity' is as natural as opening one's mouth and speaking. i see so many smart people who never let go of their egos and try new ideas and end up getting stuck in ruts, or are somehow afraid to let go. psychedelics can help free your mind if this is what you seek but you already have to be engaged in this process at some level. if hollywood has taught you how to react to music and you can't free yourself from hollywood's shackles, too bad. you can take psychedelics and still tune out and make derivative crap. or you are the beatles and take lsd and record the album revolver with probably the most sought-after drum sound in the history of pop.. borderline electronica tracks like tomorrow never knows that pretty much changed the history of pop music. or your name happens to be jimi hendrix. pot: all the rastafarian dub guys. etc etc

i don't think drugs make people 'more creative'. i think they can open the mind to new concepts. many of the most open-minded, creative, and successful people I've met or artists who are on the bleeding edge of their fields have tried them. so much of creativity and artmaking is understanding the complex relationships of your senses. there's a lot to learn from having your senses altered, experiencing crossmodal sensations (synaesthesia) and just the timeless beauty and poetry that comes with the experience, nevermind ego dissolution. possibly: good artists explore themselves and psychedelics are part of that process. caveat: psychedelics don't come with an instruction manual, you either figure out how to use them or you don't.

psychedelics definitely opened up my ears to new ideas and concepts. but that's because i was already listening, observing and paying close attention. for msuic i think it works especially well if you are challenging yourself with new ideas and already listening to it sober, then give it a good listen on LSD, you'll come away with something new for sure.

also i love jamming and tripping. it's practically the most intimate form of communication there is. pretty much anything i've done high holds up when i'm sober, if anything it enhances my senses and gives me a temporary different perspective. that's why it's so great.. i agree with braineater above, these are different than sober ideas.. different state, different flavor, but so vibrant and clear. but that's why i take psychedelics, if it was the same experience sober what would be the point?