Creativity

[flexibeast]

In my experience, Australian society has a very narrow conception of 'creativity'. If someone asks "Are you a creative person?", this usually basically translates as something like "Do you write fiction / poetry, draw, write music, paint, create films, knit, sew, crochet or sculpt?" (Sometimes, the translation includes "invent meals".) If i then replied, "Yes, i'm creative: i create groups and communities; i create computer programs; i create social and political ideas, arguments and changes; i create supportive and comfortable environments for my loved ones to live in", i'm pretty sure that the response would be "Er, that's not really what i meant." Maybe, but that's still my answer. :-)

So, dear readers, what things do you do that are creative but aren't often widely recognised as such?
 

Comments

[haw-thorn.livejournal.com]

I've helped build and maintain communities, so I would definetly regard that and the other accomplishments you mention as creative! In addition to my recognisably 'creative' pursuits I also create magical ritual experiences for myself and others, but I imagine that people who understand ritual would recognise the creativity involved. But one of the creative things that I enjoy most, which might not be recognised as such is imagining and immersing myself in detailed erotic revery!!

[radicalyffe.livejournal.com]

I was thinking just the same thing about creativity today! Spooky!

My creativity is in several areas: Events planning, community development, and... I have *ideas*. For example, Robyn creates the Tranny Panic art, but I come up with many of the concepts. I can't write very good fiction, but I have a million ideas for original fic, that I would love someone to write for me. Seed concepts. I plant ideas in other creative people.

Also, I can take existing ideas and reshape them in creative ways. I can put a spin on a story, I can explain things in ways that people understand. I can verbally tell a good story, but only non-fiction.

[klaktu74.livejournal.com]

i guess it depends on how one interprets the meaning...my reading of a dictionary definition (e.g. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/creative) says that this term can be broadly applied to the act of creating.

as organisms we create many things on a biological basis (including new life)...

me? beyond that which is normally seen as 'creative' i create delicious food; with others i create beautiful bonds by developing a variety of relationships; i help people create their own lives, see new possibilities, through the work i do in counselling; create better understandings within the areas of research relevant to my studies and work...

maybe i'm really taking liberties with the word creative? but this was an interesting exercise in thinking beyond the square, thanks. would i be correct in thinking that perhaps you've experienced a conversation in which another person couldn't move past this square?

[penguinpusher.livejournal.com]

There's a big difference between "creative programmers" and code monkeys, people think of the latter when you say "programmer" because that's the expectation these days and its what the corporates want. The old school Unix hackers are very creative and imaginative, the peoples making MS word I ask? ;)

[flexibeast.livejournal.com]

:-D

[flexibeast.livejournal.com]

I have a million ideas for original fic, that I would love someone to write for me. Seed concepts. I plant ideas in other creative people.

Heh, i've been told on a number of occasions that the dreams i have would make decent screenplays; if only i was better connected with people in the film industry. :-)

[flexibeast.livejournal.com]

my reading of a dictionary definition (e.g. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/creative) says that this term can be broadly applied to the act of creating.

i agree, but my experience is that, for practical purposes, our society's definition is rather narrower.

i help people create their own lives, see new possibilities, through the work i do in counselling

Well said!

maybe i'm really taking liberties with the word creative?

Well, i don't think so, but it might well be that i'm in a minority in this regard. :-)

would i be correct in thinking that perhaps you've experienced a conversation in which another person couldn't move past this square?

Actually, no; this is something that has been brewing in my head for quite some time now, not least in connection to what (for want of a better term) i call 'the entertainment society', which i'm hoping to post about shortly. :-)

[flexibeast.livejournal.com]

There's a big difference between "creative programmers" and code monkeys, people think of the latter when you say "programmer" because that's the expectation these days and its what the corporates want.

*nod* Good point; and it reminds me of a recent comment on reddit (http://www.reddit.com/r/programming/comments/9q2oc/hey_progit_how_useful_is_a_masters_degree_in_the/c0dwlxw).