ML198: Creativity, Genius and The Gift & Market Economies
In this episode Nasos & Andrea discuss: the importance of creativity for individuals and society, the process of discovering your genius and the difference between the gift and market economies.
Show Notes
- What paradox about creativity does Nasos struggle with the most? [01:44]
- When did Nasos first experience the conflicting requirements that come with creative work? How did he deal with it? [02:40]
- How does productising uniqueness affect one’s identity? What should be the limits to this trend? [05:35]
- What is creativity? Why is creativity sacred? [06:47]
- Is craziness a prerequisite to being creative? [09:26]
- What are three different solutions to the creative paradox? [10:40]
- What are some disadvantages when doing creative work for others? [14:37]
- How does catering creative work based on current market trends affect one’s creative quality? [17:14]
- What mistakes do people commit when evaluating themselves within the creative paradox? [20:56]
- Why is taking risks critical to creativity? [23:59]
- On doing work that goes against one’s creative instincts [27:43]
- What is the reality behind pursuing a creative license in today’s economy? [29:20]
- Why is it inevitable for formulaic work to be ineffective in the future? [32:13]
- What is the idea behind Lewis Hyde’s gift and market economies? [35:03]
- Why are paid transformative experiences or personal development courses antithetical in nature? [39:42]
- On the idea that every person has something to say [42:19]
- How can the stories that people tell themselves influence their identity, their purpose, and how they use their genius? [46:14]
- Are critics relevant sources of information? When do critics become reasonable evaluators? [53:20]
- How is art evaluated? What are the fundamentals of objectively judging something that contains subjectivity? [56:12]
- Is podcasting an art form? Can anything be art? [58:52]
- What are examples of moments wherein Nasos felt the art behind interviewing? [01:02:36]
- How can people apply the idea of gift and market economies to their daily lives? [01:04:17]
- Why letting go of the small things is more sustainable for a person’s creativity [01:08:39]
- What are some instances where resisting resulted in more harm for Nasos? [01:10:16]
- What are the values that Nasos will not compromise? Has Nasos figured out his creative process? [01:13:05]
- How can people draw inspiration from other people’s creativity without diverging from their own genius? [01:15:38]
- How can collaborative work enrich one’s ideas and creative process? [01:17:00]
- How does one find a creative partner? [01:18:36]
- Closing remarks [01:21:07]
Resources
- The Gift: How the Creative Spirit Transforms the World by Lewis Hyde
- The Soul’s Code: In Search of Character and Calling by James Hillman
- The Art of the Interview: Lessons from a Master of the Craft by Lawrence Grobel