consuming widely (and not just books) really helps for anyone doing some sort of creative or interdisciplinary field. I'm doing game development right now and I try to replace mindless youtube content (drama, gossip, memes, etc) with watching movies. Even just technical things like how shots are framed can have a huge impact on the way i think about my own creative work
Since I heard this definition about creativity, I don't feel bad about expressing something that has been done before: "Creativity is where you are taking things you already know and combining it in your own unique way". We are all just humans who can only create out of things that already exist. We can't just magically create new things (which is a common thought for artists I think). That is what makes us humans special. We experience things, make it our own and bend it into something new serving another purpose. Beautiful.
Frrrrr @@solidagold115 Today I created something very good Two things I've seen influenced it Those two things, I was in awe of when seeing them so it stuck in my mind I guess Now it's bounced off into a whole new thing with what I created Then the world goes round and round
Yep. The mind is a great synthesizer of ideas. The more you put in, the more potential comes back. Backing this with solid philosophy helps to stricture this, also, so what you synthesize and churn out has greater depth to it. I'll make a video about this on my TH-cam at some point.
@@TaylorWarden That's not the case. You see, if you don't think about what you draw and flow with the intuition, you end up with something new, something never done
well most people who don't consume that much content Will produce a piece of work related to their life experiences which can be called unique but there more similarities between different people than we actually imagine and it's specially True during this time when most people have more or less a similar life style.
except those thoughts originate from inspiration. i consume all genres personally so i also am capable of writing all genres if i want to, but i make sure that characters and plots/story are unique and original to me, while still using inspiration from other sources or real-life experiences (personal or otherwise) to enhance my story. as long as you're not directly plagarizing or being as unoriginal as possible, i dont think theres an issue.
“Your thoughts are the sum of your bookshelf.” I like that, it’s quite true and extends to podcasts, TH-cam vids, etc. Also that Nietzsche quote about walks is spot on. So many ideas from fresh air, sunlight, and a quiet mind
eh i disagree. most people read for a myriad of reasons. some read for entertainment/escapism, others read to learn something, etc etc. imo, its pretty reductive to think that the books people own say anything other than their favorite genre. i would say the books they enjoy is more where their thoughts lie, but once again, people like books for different reasons (such as the aforementioned reasons for why people read in the first place).
I am not the books on my shelf, I am not my TH-cam videos or podcast i watch. I am not the video games I play or sport I participate in. I’m not my board games on the console tv or card games on the coffee table. I wish I was. I am not the food I cook and eat. I don’t know what I am. I try so hard to find something for me. I am not my prayers. I genuinely have fun doing everything but not one thing is mine. I just dabble in them. I have a big family so we learned everything.
Doing nothing is really underrated advice. Most of my breakthroughs in my writing happened when I was in my german classes (I don't understand the language at all). I was forced to stay still for 2 hours a day and I was able to let myself think
I like how you really mention that rest is necessary in the creative process. Art is not content, it shouldn’t make artists act like factories. Art is a daily practice that has varied time lines of completion
I remember a Kitchen Nightmares episode where the owner was completely oblivious and kept buying and stocking more and more food but business was slow and the chefs couldn’t cook it all so they just kept storing more and more until the freezers were overfilling. There was so much valuable produce and meat that all had to be thrown out because it had become inedible and freezer burnt. Kinda the same idea if you keep filling your brain with all this good content but never materializing it into something useful for yourself or something beneficial for others.
Alan Watts is known for saying exactly that… if you’re constantly having this internal conversation, or busy with constant input, you can’t hear your own thoughts- highly recommend his lectures. I think he died in the 1970s, but his lectures live on and they’re brilliant. Thanks again for inspiration! Always appreciate your thoughts on things.
@@odysseas__ I seem to recall you saying you did an ecology degree. He talks about that topic as well-it’s a book called “Does it Matter” if I remember correctly, which is more an essay than a book. While his books are great, his lectures are really awesome. He was a San Francisco hippie buddhist PhD who studied theology then went to Japan to study East Asian philosophies. He has a British accent, so I think he was originally from the UK. He would give lectures on his SF houseboat, where many of the recordings were made. Really interesting person. Good listening when you’re doing busy work/chores…
Alan Watts was originally an Episcopalian priest iirc, became a huge “hippie” who spread a lot of knowledge publicly to the West about Eastern spirituality. His colleague Eugene Rose went almost the same life path and knew the entire same breadth of all Eastern spirituality as Watts did, but as an Orthodox monk, becoming Heiromonk Seraphim Rose. Christian or secular, I STRONGLY believe both of their wisdom of the Eastern teachings should be read and cherished.
The best writing advice I ever received was write about a time in your life or the life someone you knew was living, change the names and the setting and then exaggerate and improvise the details of the story but use the original real story as a launch pad for the ideas to flow from.
No, you don’t need to lead an exciting life to be able to write. Every life is filled with trouble. I’m 78, but I still remember the first time I saw the F word scratched into the wood fibers of a fence board. I was ashamed. Just looking at it made me feel guilty. Guilty, be cause I wanted to go closer and look at it, at the F and the U and the C and the K . I was eight years old. I looked to the left and to the right like my mom told me to when I’m crossing the street. I was alone, and I was crossing into the unknown. The shame, the excitement, the sex of it. All of it in that moment…. Anyway, you get the idea: Life IS trouble, only death is not. Who said that? Somebody. Don’t wait for some exciting (trite) adventure to write about. Show your readers adventure is all around us, inescapable. ……..,,,, Then just to the right there was another word scratched in: “You.” That could only mean one thing: me. It was me. How did they know I was a shameful kid thinking of sex. But it was true. It was written on my face somehow. I had to get outta there. I ran. I can run fast. I’m good at it. “Hey kid, get back here.” Was that a real voice or the kind I heard when I locked the chickens in their coop at night? I wasn’t sure of those either, the gravel crunching so loud as I ran back to the back door every night. Wow, I was a troubled kid.
Phenomenal writing! I would like to ask you a question as well. Being 78, what would you deem to be the greatest life lesson that young individuals should learn?
Rick Rubin said in a podcast that whatever act of creativity you do, make it like a journal entry. Something just for you, something beyond any comparison or judgement. And something honest. No point lying to your diary, right? That was an idea that woke from me sleep and got me to stand up straight and listen and its been really helpful following that simple advice.
I really like the channel "Easy, Actually" because they cover basic topics (studying, language learning being healthy) but it comes from a place of research, not Tips and Tricks videos. The things he says are outside of the echo chamber and I love his videos for that
Using walking as a way to get more creativity is really underrated! I have maladaptive daydreaming since i was really young and i instinctively only daydreamed while walking because thats how i could get most imaginative
This was such a wake-up call for me. I really needed someone to tell me to stop consuming so much & reject that constant flow of dopamine. Ironically, I had the same thoughts about needing to just let myself think, but my willpower is so incredibly weak these days. Its so obvious to me because I literally get my best ideas when I'm about to sleep or when I'm in the shower BECAUSE I have to rest at those times. Thank you.
Summary: 1. Don't consume content. Just relax, go for a walk and chill. Let the ideas come to you. Record them accordingly. 2. In case you have to consume content, ensure it is proper content (less of tiktok, shorts, reels that overstimulate your instant gratification centres and more of long form content, documentaries, biopics, movies, news, educational videos, anything and everything that at least need to you focus for a long period of time). 3. Live life and experience it. Use your experiences as stories. 4. Mix and match different ideas and perspectives to come up with original stuff. 5. When you are not sure where to begin or when to begin, just create NOW. and figure out the rest as you go. Thank you for this video! Hope this helps 😊
I haven't finished the video yet but I am so excited that I found this. I am a singer songwriter and I have been in a rut struggling to "find the words". It feels like paralysis.
Love the vibe the lighting gives this, especially compared with the fact that you don't have any music playing in the background. Makes it very relaxing to listen to you. I feel very called out by this. I have the tendency to drown out my thoughts by constant podcasts or music. Not only on my walks, but when I work from home or on my commutes as well. Will start to do that less. Also, Tolkien also borrowed a lot from earlier works.For example, a big part of The Hobbit is basically the third act of Beowulf. Additionally I feel a big part of this video is that you are the sum of the people you surround yourself with ( and it doesn't matter if these people are dead writers). Makes me happy you are one of them!
sometimes that desire to enter the flow state while creating overcomes the fear of starting and that flow state creates nice moments anyways amazing video, really motivating
I don't need to think originally. I watch a movie, show or read a book, and think that I want to make something like that! I then think about what amuses me the most about the project (it's usually their vibe or themes) and I write something centered around that. If it seems similar to the inspiration, I redo it again and again to the point where it's something different, and the inspiration is no longer the pivot, rather what I've created myself.
I rarely leave comments on videos, but I kind of teared up while watching (which surprised me as well). I picked this video as background noise for studying, but I think it helped me a lot more than I thought it would, and I feel like I've realized a lot of things about myself. I can't explain the feeling precisely, but I'm glad this appeared in my home page
Wow! Your video was such a great lesson, I've learned so much. I have been trying to improve my writing and reading skills, working on worldbuilding, and striving to be a unique and authentic person. I wish you a great life, and I hope your channel continues to grow and reach many people. Thank you!
Creativity is an act of self-reflection within the fluid, interconnected fabric of human experience. Authenticity, therefore, does not hinge on what is objectively new but on how deeply one can relate to and express the essential truths within their own existential purpose.
As a writer, this was something I really struggled with when I first started. I think we're the same age or around the same age, so we might have been experiencing this around the same time. Something I noticed was that the more I allowed my mind to wander and just live, experiencing a range of books, film, theatre, music etc, the more I started to pick out things that I wanted to say, stories I wanted to tell, places and characters I wanted to visit with fascinating, deep characters I wanted to know more about. I heard Malcom Gladwell say, 'It's not the writer's job to supply the ideas. It''s to be patient enough to find the ideas.' I guess what I'm trying to say is that ideas and stories come from an active and curious imagination, and as you say, it very much depends on what you're feeding it and how much.
i absolutely love this video so much, ive never been really good at expressing my thoughts into words but originality and creativity are values that ive expressed through visual art rather than words, and this video encapsulates that so well.
So far my Substack journey has made me realise just how mentally draining being a writer is. It was my first time having my work public and yes people are supportive on the platform but writer jealousy and imposter syndrome is real!!! And very painful. I’m not jealous of their work but not being as successful and having the same community can make a person feel terrible. I think a lot of people think their work is not original because of the lack of success. They think there is nothing special in their work but that’s not true. I think the best thing is to write what you enjoy and what makes you happy, not really trying to impress anyone. What I’ve learnt is the right audience will come who enjoy your story telling and ‘originality’
I totally agree although I will say my biggest motivation is impressing myself and intrinsically the reason I even want to make this thing is because I can't find it anywhere else and because of that it's more fun to admire the finished product I made and plan accordingly then actually doing the work I.e starting a new page
Tolkien and Lewis were known for their strolls. its the way of the thinking man to work his legs through different elements, rain, shine, uphill, downhill. We have become removed from our natural paths and are ingrained in the silicone chips of netflix and youtube. This was an excellent video. thank you!
My way of Finding the unbeaten path i wanna take.. I really believe in a strong sense of curiosity. You want to keep questioning life. Always ask why. And you'll find Eventually you will ask a question That nobody has answered. That is your original place of discovery! Imagine you Answer that question for yourself.. Then that leads you to ask more questions. And more. Plus when you follow your own curiosity it gives you emotions. Which make you retain what youve learned far more than simply consuming what you feel inclined to chase.
Also, as my favorite Bible verse goes: “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” So no need to worry about 100% originality at all
This is very inspiring, as if you read my thoughts. I always hesitate, but today I learned that all I need is to talk to the camera, and the rest will find its way later. Keep being awesome, Odysseas!
Truly amazing video!! I was wondering on the point where you said that we need to give ourselves time to just think and be and how that's not possible in the dopamine-addicted world right now. Is that why the best ideas seem to come to us while we are showering? 👀 I mean it is one of the only few times I can think of that we are not connected or constantly being bombarded with information and content. Anyways, amazing video, you got a new subscriber!!
Thank you, and welcome! I genuinely think that's the reason. I notice it also happens a lot when I try to sleep at night -if I didn't give myself silence the whole day, that's the only chance where I get to think and it becomes almost overwhelming. Just a theory though.
"Originiality" is basically the writers' version of "artstyle". I draw and paint on a level that I could do it professionally. And I see all these young artists or professionals stressing over artstyle. I never got it, because all the advice given about it "just draw, you will develop your artstyle". But it seems vast majority of people don't believe that or can't wait. They want to develop that artstyle NOW. Doesn't matter of their skills or taste, they need to develop it now or else they won't stand out on Instagram's feed and algorhitms. But all they can do is to copy their favorite artists. So... what's the key? There has to be something specific other than "just draw". And there is. Subject matter. Subject matter is basically what makes your artstyle. Even if you have the exact same way of stylization as dozens of other people, you can do something they are not: Drawing different subjects. Right now, doing portraits of pretty Pinterest girls in a neutral expression in a pixar/anime artstyle is the trend. People try to do "their take" on it. And 99% don't get attention and are generic. Once you see 30 different paintings of the same photo, you get really sick of it and just scroll past... But what if there's something else than a pretty Pinterest portrait? What if you draw that pretty Pinterest girl doing an autopsy? Or being a pirate while a cannon ball flies past her head? Or... what if there's another person in the photo?!?!?! 95% of artists seem to be too intimidated to even try drawing two people in the same photo at once. That's too much work for a single picture. And... thus their art is generic. It's lifeless, soulless. It's just pretty pictures. I might want to put it on a wall, but I won't think about it. I won't obsess over it. Not a single modern artist seems to have done that for me with their art alone... Unless we're talking about movies or video games. Not drawing. Not painting. Not writing. Writing. I want you to think about this now from the writers' perspective. What is the key? Subject matter. Almost all the "icks" and "problems" and "pet peeves" and criticism of modern writing boils down to the generic and soulless subject matter. Tropes galore. Mature themes handled with the care of a clocksmith with arthritis. Most heavy handed social commentary that's just about pointing and laughing. Overly complex magic systems. Overly complex science fiction. Overly self-aware. Overly subversive. Brunette white boy twink vampires. Modern writing has a huge subject matter problem. So if you want to stand out, if you want to make something that matters and people will read, it's ALL about the subject matter.
What's up ✌️ First time watching your videos. Earned a subscription after five minutes. I'm eighteen, working on sorting my life out, and I want to write really badly, but I don't have the confidence or the hope to start. This video is an inspiration to me, because I know right now I'm at a crucial crossroad: I can either sit around and consume all day, or I can get up and live my life, pursue creativity. Thank you for your work. The reason you, and by extension your videos, are so compelling is because they're genuine. Go in peace
I'm in almost the same exact boat as you. Maybe not write, but create SOMETHING. I draw, write shitty poetry and lyrics, so I know I love creating, and so I figure, why not give this method of creation a shot? Was inspired by John Green tbh
Another great video. I have been pondering the question you posed at 13:48 myself recently. Less in a causative sense, but more exploring the linkage between the etymology of the word 'passion' and the idea of suffering, i.e. that the most passionate people, of which we are most familiar with artists due to their work, are those who are suffering most greatly
i don't really think that's how it is. Suffering is way too broad of a term, as that it could be put almost exclusively on artists. I would argue the starving children in Africa or the victims of violent crime or something like that are suffering the most. I get your point, but I would say artists are just more open about their problems than other people, as expressing feelings, and maybe exaggerating them, is an important part of art. Also, I think we tend to put too much emphasis on suffering artists, due to the stereotype of the suffering, crazy, unhinged, traumatised artist. Most artists are perfectly fine people, and we just don't know about other people with the same condition, because they weren't famous artists.
Wow, definitely an underrated video. It’s so easy to read the books that you’ve seen everywhere. Atomic Habits is a great example. I have not read it yet, but I see it everywhere! Tons of people also recommend this book. But, those who have read it, tell me it’s mostly things they already knew.
Enjoyed the video, you are putting into practice exactly what you are preaching, fantastic! I also feel that there are a few other aspects of creativity that are important, at least for me. - Practice -> do the thing often and with intensity. Kobe Bryant/David Goggins/Richard Feynman come to mind here. A mastery of the fundamentals frees up the mind to be more creative. - Feedback from those you trust -> getting real and honest feedback from those you respect and trust helps you really understand how you are really developing. As Feynman states: “The first principle is that you must not fool yourself-and you are the easiest person to fool.”
You saved my life thank you To be able to tell stories you have to live them first yk and it's better than brainstorming for an idea that keeps refusing to come out. I'm gonna broaden the genres that I read
Dude, I literally went on a walk yesterday- mind you, it is not a common occurrence- and polished up my idea for my English recount assignment, which I've been agonising myself about for the past week. Consider me 'mind blown'. (Also, creeped out because youtube somehow always knows what to recommend to me...)
Man, you're genuinely one of the only people on here from whom I actually learn something. When watching almost all the other content that aims to support and aid people in their journey of learning etc; I feel like it's just stimulation for my brain, which gives me the illusion of having learnt something or having done something of worth. This is not the case with your content. I wish to see much more of you! Greetings from Germany, have a nice weekend!
As a young guy i have started to write as a hobby, i often watch "video esseys" to educate myself on what i like and would like to do. I have traveled the world and im lucky enough to have an insight of what people think and do, my writing isnt exceptional yet, i like my ideas, and a lot of people like them too, i just lack the method to make them work, this applies for me in writing, for now i simply limit myself to get pre made fictional peaces and reinvent them by my own interpretation, trying to get the depth of the characters and the execution of the plot, but i would be really glad if someone gave me advice. I dont intend to make writing my career, not now at least, it started out as a hobby because i liked my ideas and i wanted to share them, so i want to get as better as possible.
i can indeed agree to the media part and mostly all of this video, amazing work. Every ad, every hyperlink, every scroll, is just indefinitely making us slaves to this great trap of, id like to say "lust" (not just referring to sexual desires and pleasure, but referring to the never ending need to stimulate our brains and fill them with content which is perhaps useless in the first place). As a teenager, I can very easily state that this is a fact in today's generation, we're controlled by things we didn't even want initially, its all a trap, an elaborate system to make us do what artificiality wants, just for mere profits. social media brands dont realise how they're making the youth useless with each progressing day. its hard for me to just focus on what im actually thinking, rather than getting involved in the infinite sea of pointless content which gratifies temporarily. felt good seeing this channel, your ideas are really raw and unique, i appreciate this.
The advice to live an interesting, outgoing life is a dangerously crushing thing to suggest. Many writers (not all, but many), are introverts, and sometimes to a pathological degree. Telling them their withdrawn, quiet lives cannot create original writing is a sure way to discourage huge numbers of writers with great potential; and it's advice a) not heard infrequently by a fair number of writers who are b) very outgoing themselves. Turn it around and consider e.g. Pessoa's Book of Disquiet, in which the protagonist frequently emphasises the richness of his inner life in comparison with the horrors that is external life.
It is entirely possible to be an introvert and still live a wide range of experiences, not all of them come from direct social interaction, many things can just be observed
If I understood your definition of "introvert" correctly, the word is kind of used in many different meanings nowadays, so it will be helpful for further discussion if you can provide what you mean by it
Your videos are getting better and better. So happy for you. I love your editing style Also, this video is especially helpful for me. ‘Allow time to think’ is definitely what I needed at this point in time. You explained it well with the analogy of muscle growth.
Loved this video. You're spot on with everything you've said here. Having published a few fantasy novels, I find that following the combination of my unique interests is the fastest path to finding something fresh and exciting. For instance, one book might take an architectural idea I'm fascinated with (I used to be an architect), along with an interesting magic system I've not seen before (which itself is the combination of several sources of inspiration), and then merge that with the structure of another story I really liked (i.e. a redemption arc). When I started out, my writing felt way more imitative of authors I admired. But like you said here, once you just produce volume, your unique sense of voice will shine through. Keep up the great work with the channel!
Thanks, and that's amazing to hear directly from a writer. When it's your own passion, you truly see the energy in the words. Best wishes with your writing!
And that's really awesome because we're figuring out, like studying and analysing, how our brains creativity work, and that is something that make us humans! We're figuring out our humanity, and what made possible for the ancient people to be so brilliant - they didn't get bombed with information all day all week, and had the time to wise a little, literally living the meaning of "ócio" (idk how that's said in English, it's like a free time you have to simply be with your thoughts). Yesterday I saw a TEDtalk from Jon Jandai named "Life is easy. Why do we make it so hard?", it may be very contributional for this discussion. ❤ Thank so much for uploading this video and sharing your knowledge!! 🙏
There’s a comment somewhere near the top saying ‘the first step is to not think originally’. I want to expand on that, you have to be content with taking inspiration from other people. Most great artists stole from somewhere else, but what made them different is the fact they also largely brought in their own thoughts and actions, because everyone is original, we are all 1:1. So although Shakespeare took from Ovid and The Bible, although Kurosawa took the stories of Shakespeare, and although George Lucas was heavily inspired by Kurosawa. They were all able to add their own flavour to the ingredient, which made it special.
Thank you, I've watched a couple of your recent videos and am so grateful for the impact you chose to have on this world. You have beautiful ideas, and you conduct them wonderfully. Thinking, a resource we all have equal access to, yet it seems to be so undesired these days. I'm excited to wake up tomorrow and live a slightly different way - as you've changed me, and all of us really, in some way. Forever. Cheers!
Excellent. I was just looking for a guide on how to think originally, because I couldn't I figure it out myself. I love that someone else is so wise and can tell me exactly how to be original! Edit: this is a joke because the title is paradoxical
I'm going to assume you didn't watch the video from this comment. At no point do I tell you what exactly to think-just how you can create the conditions in your life for original, personal ideas to flourish from. If you already knew that stuff, then great, this video wasn't aimed at you.
@@odysseas__ Okay I was just kidding, I found the title ironic and impossible. Sorry if it isn't clear enough I know what you mean, it is just a paradox
This is an amazing video! I’m a fiction writer currently working on an anthology of short stories and poetry. I specifically related with the bit about ‘living first, creating later’. That’s literally where I’m at in my creative process. Yesterday I went over to a bar close to home. The stories I heard were so amazing and very original. Ergo, inspiration! I always have strange dreams that are hauntingly vivid. Like, I can smell stuff in my dreams. This calls to show that all the inspiration I’ve ever needed finds a way to cook itself within me and then re-present itself to me. It’s mind blowing! Thanks for the video. You have gained a follower. It’d be cool to exchange some ideas some time.🙏🏿
Thank you💜I resonates with what you have expressed within the entire video, and it is basically what I have been telling myself but this was more enforced and refreshing from someone else's perspective to which you mentioned differently approaches to how to develop originally, and how to think and engage. My focus is getting out of my comfort zone more and experiencing more for myself despite my circumstances. I am passionate about writing and visual art and this video is a scintilla for that. It's a learning process to look forward to.
I've always felt like I'm in the cycle of consuming but never producing. I always have these ideas, and ambitions, but they are never allowed to become a reality. and when I finally get the chance to create and put my stuff out there, I'm stuck. because my ideas are short lived, unmotivated, and limited, reliant upon other, existing things. I feel like I need an idea that I love and feel like its validated. but I've realized that I just need to start. I can't wait for that breakthrough idea to come to me, it's a culmination of all my little ideas together. so now, when I don't know what to do or how to start, I just start, without a purpose, and then that purpose comes to me as my thoughts come together. (I kind of just did that with this comment lol)
My passtimes are quite technical, when I start thinking about a project, I love just going to a hardware shop and just looking at stuff, maybe a tool I didnt think about, some sort of mechanism I have never seen etc. Its kind of a wide info consumption that separates the projects you do to generic how-to videos. Also I love "everything shops" the coolest ones tend to be in remote villages but they are dying out, seeing all this unrelated stuff in one place sometimes gets ideas flowing
Great video, I’ve actually been challenging myself to replace content I’ve been consuming with creating way more and only trying to intake quality content for the sake of better ideas. So the YT algorithm worked in my favor yet again - love how you incorporate the ad placement too - very natural with the video topic 🔥
im a painter and as an adult I traveled to many places to experience the area, its people, food, and ambiance. I read many books, I viewed tons of paintings in real life, I immersed myself in hours of playful study with a variety of artists and artistic styles. I found connections between the arts. dance, music and painting for instance. as a teacher I introduced my students to an idea. filling 3 hats with three different ideas written on paper. the student was to pick one idea from each hate. then take those ideas and create an image. It opened my eyes to see differently and maybe some of my students. creative people, at least in my case, should take a break sometimes and mull the situation over. After a lion devours its prey, it lays down, naps, reflects, and mulls the possibilities over. it says to itself, maybe next time bring the catsup.
From my own experience, I can say, that everytime I'm writing a chapter, there's like one or two ideas that I'll randomly get, and most of the time they end up on the pages - of course I'm talking about creating situations that somewhat subvert, what I was thinking about the chapter, when I sat there with a blank page in front of me. Yea, life-changing comment i just wrote.
Very sound advice, original thinking comes from contemplation and taking notes. Try odd combinations of ideas to practice the creativity. LOVE the cup.
Honestly, I think ive always been one of the more original people within my social circle. But my fear didnt really come from being original, rather, whether my original idea will be consumed and respected. Im afraid of putting my heart over something just to end up like anyone else in this world... just some other dude who tried to do something, but alas, was not special enough to come out ontop. Of course what im saying might sound like Im an unrealistic kid who wants to be special, but ever since I was a kid, this thought has never escaped my mind. No matter how much I tell myself that it's an immature thought, that thought of wanting to be special and unique and to be respected remains. And yeah, I have evaluated all these feelings of myself. I know its flaws and what the right way of thinking might be for me, however non of that changes the fact that I want to noticed by the world. I want to be someone! Every time I've received a a great compliment, I am naturally humble and rationalize the compliment so that they don't think im that great, but deep within me, i am jumping with excitement, feeling ecstatic that someone noticed me and that someone thinks something good about me. But at the same time, I also realize that this reaction comes from deep rooted stuff in my past. I mean, I dont really have any real talent or great skill. At best, im below average when it comes to those who are ambitious. Man, this is one of those times where what I write is just completely disorganized and all over the place. I guess i just wanted to quickly get this off my chest. Edit: Sigh... look, I'll share a little bit of wisdom since I feel like not many people will read this, so the knowledge don't gets too spread out. The key to good writing isn't originality at all. Just like the video said, originality does not really exist like you think it does. No, originality isn't the key; execution is. It's all about how you communicate your feelings onto the page. It's about how you execute the ideas. That's why when you see another well written story about magic users and kingdoms, you don't think "ugh, how unoriginal" you think "how original, it's so well written" because your brain isn't really evaluating whether it's actually original or not, it's evaluating how well you consume it and how elegantly written everything is and how well thought out the story is. So, while originality in the sense that you didnt just copy it from others is important, it isn't the key, the key is how you put it. You can write the most unoriginal stuff out there, but if it's actually well done and engaging, more and more people will consume it.... now.... please don't use this knowledge to your advantage 🙏 I want to be the one who people look up to. 😂😂 anyways, good luck on your journey.
Amazing video! One tip for being original from me as an musician is... to not be! Allow me to explain: Sometimes taking already existing ideas and iterating upon them can produce something that while not completely original, it can still be unique. Find a melodic phrase from a song, a chord progression from another, the rhythmic signature of a third track. Put them into the blender that is your mind and you will have something unique! I am a bit eclectic in what music I consume, so my output is a creation unique to me, but clearly inspired by 70's electronic music. When I draw, Images of already existing pieces of art come to my mind, they become a mesh of colors until something, hopefully unique, comes out. Another tip is to approach a common idea from a different perspective. For a story idea, there are hundreds superhero stories, but how many focus on the average people and how they have to cope with the existence of superheroes and supervillains? Maybe it classes with their beliefs? Maybe they feel helpless and hope their town doesn't blow up as a part of a villain's scheme. Maybe they start a cult deifying the super-beings. How about a horror story from the pov of the monster? etc etc The point is: Ideas are all around and how you discover them is a journey unique to every artist!!!
Thanks, and this is so true. Mathematically, there's trillions (and more) different end products you can produce, especially with more complicated domains.
5:34 I love reading and it was mainly fiction, but then I started watching anime a couple of years ago and one called Bungo Stray Dogs actually got me into reading classic literature. All of the characters are named after the real life authors; Osamu Dazai and Fyodor Dyostoevsky being my favorite’s. Even the show itself is amazing in storytelling. Regardless of whether it’s anime or not, I would recommend it to anyone.
It happens a lot, but you can always put a spin on it or improve it. Heck, even Shakespeare ripped off Greek stories in some of his most famous works, but he'd always change them up a lot.
Being alone with your thoughts is huge. Couple that with light physical exercise and you’re onto a winner. Some of the greatest creative minds and academic thinkers have credited walking to some of their “aha” moments. But I’m sure you could exchange walking for swimming or riding a bike. I even have some interesting thoughts while jogging in my training for 50k trail runs. I noticed earlier in the year that I was just feeling unsettled. I had been consuming too much garbage content, so I decided to take a 45 minute run without my headphones. Since then, I really look forward to my “raw dog” run. My writing is slowly improving and my sense of inner peace is through the roof.
Sound advice. I feel like we have gotten too used to both being sedentary and also blocking every thought out with a video or podcast. I remember when I used to go to bed after doing that, all the thoughts rushed in at once and it made me really anxious. Exercise is time for the mind to 'process' itself I guess.
@ a hundred percent mate. I got to a point where it seemed like I hadn’t had a thought of my own for months. Even when I was meditating I would find myself mulling over nonsense I was consuming on TH-cam. Anyway, great video and great channel. Earned yourself a follow. Keep them coming.
Great video thank you. I’m a newer writer…well idk how to say that, I’ve written all my life but never thought about it as something that was a part of me until 5 years ago or so and even more so this past couple years. I suffer from imposter syndrome and overthink my writing so much. The originality thing is a big issue as well…and even wondering if your “originality” is even good or something people may like. Or dare I say if that even matters…
consuming widely (and not just books) really helps for anyone doing some sort of creative or interdisciplinary field. I'm doing game development right now and I try to replace mindless youtube content (drama, gossip, memes, etc) with watching movies. Even just technical things like how shots are framed can have a huge impact on the way i think about my own creative work
Love that. There's always something to learn almost everywhere you look.
Since I heard this definition about creativity, I don't feel bad about expressing something that has been done before: "Creativity is where you are taking things you already know and combining it in your own unique way". We are all just humans who can only create out of things that already exist. We can't just magically create new things (which is a common thought for artists I think). That is what makes us humans special. We experience things, make it our own and bend it into something new serving another purpose. Beautiful.
Frrrrr @@solidagold115
Today I created something very good
Two things I've seen influenced it
Those two things, I was in awe of when seeing them so it stuck in my mind I guess
Now it's bounced off into a whole new thing with what I created
Then the world goes round and round
Yep. The mind is a great synthesizer of ideas. The more you put in, the more potential comes back. Backing this with solid philosophy helps to stricture this, also, so what you synthesize and churn out has greater depth to it. I'll make a video about this on my TH-cam at some point.
depends on the sort of memes you’re consuming(brainrot/safe edgy/generally mainstream memes are bad) but everything else I agree w/
First step to think originally is to not try to think originally.
Mmmhmm. It’s about natural flow, which you cannot force
this
Thankyou for this
You’ll just end up with something thats been done then. Originality isnt the same as authenticity.
@@TaylorWarden That's not the case. You see, if you don't think about what you draw and flow with the intuition, you end up with something new, something never done
This guy is making me realize things I've been subconsciously thinking about
Grateful to hear that
'if you want more original thoughts... then stop consuming"
well most people who don't consume that much content Will produce a piece of work related to their life experiences which can be called unique but there more similarities between different people than we actually imagine and it's specially True during this time when most people have more or less a similar life style.
except those thoughts originate from inspiration. i consume all genres personally so i also am capable of writing all genres if i want to, but i make sure that characters and plots/story are unique and original to me, while still using inspiration from other sources or real-life experiences (personal or otherwise) to enhance my story. as long as you're not directly plagarizing or being as unoriginal as possible, i dont think theres an issue.
“Your thoughts are the sum of your bookshelf.”
I like that, it’s quite true and extends to podcasts, TH-cam vids, etc.
Also that Nietzsche quote about walks is spot on. So many ideas from fresh air, sunlight, and a quiet mind
Your thoughts are the sum of the books you throw out.
eh i disagree. most people read for a myriad of reasons. some read for entertainment/escapism, others read to learn something, etc etc. imo, its pretty reductive to think that the books people own say anything other than their favorite genre. i would say the books they enjoy is more where their thoughts lie, but once again, people like books for different reasons (such as the aforementioned reasons for why people read in the first place).
I am not the books on my shelf, I am not my TH-cam videos or podcast i watch. I am not the video games I play or sport I participate in. I’m not my board games on the console tv or card games on the coffee table. I wish I was. I am not the food I cook and eat. I don’t know what I am. I try so hard to find something for me. I am not my prayers. I genuinely have fun doing everything but not one thing is mine. I just dabble in them. I have a big family so we learned everything.
that's a really, really great quote!
Also ads sum of the media you consume
Doing nothing is really underrated advice. Most of my breakthroughs in my writing happened when I was in my german classes (I don't understand the language at all). I was forced to stay still for 2 hours a day and I was able to let myself think
Haha yeah lessons like that were a good chance for them to come.
omg this happens to me in class all the time!!
isnt this called diffused thinking
kind of like being in the shower having shower thoughts or getting inspirstion after taking a walk
I like how you really mention that rest is necessary in the creative process. Art is not content, it shouldn’t make artists act like factories. Art is a daily practice that has varied time lines of completion
Well said, I like that.
I remember a Kitchen Nightmares episode where the owner was completely oblivious and kept buying and stocking more and more food but business was slow and the chefs couldn’t cook it all so they just kept storing more and more until the freezers were overfilling. There was so much valuable produce and meat that all had to be thrown out because it had become inedible and freezer burnt.
Kinda the same idea if you keep filling your brain with all this good content but never materializing it into something useful for yourself or something beneficial for others.
That's a great way to put it. That's why themes are so scattered in cinema now I bet
Watching smaller creators and listening to smaller music artists has always been something I’ve enjoyed
Alan Watts is known for saying exactly that… if you’re constantly having this internal conversation, or busy with constant input, you can’t hear your own thoughts- highly recommend his lectures. I think he died in the 1970s, but his lectures live on and they’re brilliant. Thanks again for inspiration! Always appreciate your thoughts on things.
Thanks, and I love that point. I've heard his name too so I ought to check him out.
@@odysseas__ I seem to recall you saying you did an ecology degree. He talks about that topic as well-it’s a book called “Does it Matter” if I remember correctly, which is more an essay than a book. While his books are great, his lectures are really awesome. He was a San Francisco hippie buddhist PhD who studied theology then went to Japan to study East Asian philosophies. He has a British accent, so I think he was originally from the UK. He would give lectures on his SF houseboat, where many of the recordings were made. Really interesting person. Good listening when you’re doing busy work/chores…
Alan Watts was originally an Episcopalian priest iirc, became a huge “hippie” who spread a lot of knowledge publicly to the West about Eastern spirituality. His colleague Eugene Rose went almost the same life path and knew the entire same breadth of all Eastern spirituality as Watts did, but as an Orthodox monk, becoming Heiromonk Seraphim Rose. Christian or secular, I STRONGLY believe both of their wisdom of the Eastern teachings should be read and cherished.
which lecture
@@odysseas__listening to Alan Watts is one of the best things any human alive can do. I look forward to you hearing more of his words ❤
The best writing advice I ever received was write about a time in your life or the life someone you knew was living, change the names and the setting and then exaggerate and improvise the details of the story but use the original real story as a launch pad for the ideas to flow from.
that is an idea i am using, my story is sad and tragic and ill exaggerate it adding characters to make it look more soul wrenching thus original
No, you don’t need to lead an exciting life to be able to write. Every life is filled with trouble.
I’m 78, but I still remember the first time I saw the F word scratched into the wood fibers of a fence board. I was ashamed. Just looking at it made me feel guilty. Guilty, be cause I wanted to go closer and look at it, at the F and the U and the C and the K .
I was eight years old. I looked to the left and to the right like my mom told me to when I’m crossing the street. I was alone, and I was crossing into the unknown. The shame, the excitement, the sex of it. All of it in that moment….
Anyway, you get the idea: Life IS trouble, only death is not. Who said that? Somebody.
Don’t wait for some exciting (trite) adventure to write about. Show your readers adventure is all around us, inescapable.
……..,,,,
Then just to the right there was another word scratched in: “You.”
That could only mean one thing: me. It was me. How did they know I was a shameful kid thinking of sex. But it was true. It was written on my face somehow. I had to get outta there. I ran. I can run fast. I’m good at it.
“Hey kid, get back here.” Was that a real voice or the kind I heard when I locked the chickens in their coop at night? I wasn’t sure of those either, the gravel crunching so loud as I ran back to the back door every night.
Wow, I was a troubled kid.
Damn what a great read
Love your writing style and thats a pretty great way to write about a memory!!
thank you so much for this profound insight .just know that you changed some middle aged Africans life somewhere in Zambia ❤
Great writingggg
Phenomenal writing!
I would like to ask you a question as well. Being 78, what would you deem to be the greatest life lesson that young individuals should learn?
I find the title hilariously ironic so im definitely gonna watch this
It is now that you mention it, but I promise I don't put words in your mouth.
Rick Rubin said in a podcast that whatever act of creativity you do, make it like a journal entry. Something just for you, something beyond any comparison or judgement. And something honest. No point lying to your diary, right? That was an idea that woke from me sleep and got me to stand up straight and listen and its been really helpful following that simple advice.
I really like the channel "Easy, Actually" because they cover basic topics (studying, language learning being healthy) but it comes from a place of research, not Tips and Tricks videos. The things he says are outside of the echo chamber and I love his videos for that
Using walking as a way to get more creativity is really underrated! I have maladaptive daydreaming since i was really young and i instinctively only daydreamed while walking because thats how i could get most imaginative
I also get way more creative after coming home from a walk in the forest
Thanks, and that sounds very colourful
i didn’t know anyone else did this!
This was such a wake-up call for me. I really needed someone to tell me to stop consuming so much & reject that constant flow of dopamine. Ironically, I had the same thoughts about needing to just let myself think, but my willpower is so incredibly weak these days. Its so obvious to me because I literally get my best ideas when I'm about to sleep or when I'm in the shower BECAUSE I have to rest at those times. Thank you.
Summary:
1. Don't consume content. Just relax, go for a walk and chill. Let the ideas come to you. Record them accordingly.
2. In case you have to consume content, ensure it is proper content (less of tiktok, shorts, reels that overstimulate your instant gratification centres and more of long form content, documentaries, biopics, movies, news, educational videos, anything and everything that at least need to you focus for a long period of time).
3. Live life and experience it. Use your experiences as stories.
4. Mix and match different ideas and perspectives to come up with original stuff.
5. When you are not sure where to begin or when to begin, just create NOW. and figure out the rest as you go.
Thank you for this video! Hope this helps 😊
I haven't finished the video yet but I am so excited that I found this. I am a singer songwriter and I have been in a rut struggling to "find the words". It feels like paralysis.
Love the vibe the lighting gives this, especially compared with the fact that you don't have any music playing in the background. Makes it very relaxing to listen to you.
I feel very called out by this. I have the tendency to drown out my thoughts by constant podcasts or music. Not only on my walks, but when I work from home or on my commutes as well. Will start to do that less.
Also, Tolkien also borrowed a lot from earlier works.For example, a big part of The Hobbit is basically the third act of Beowulf.
Additionally I feel a big part of this video is that you are the sum of the people you surround yourself with ( and it doesn't matter if these people are dead writers). Makes me happy you are one of them!
Kindest words as always, thank you. You're right with Tolkien as well -I was thinking if I was right in saying that but clearly I forgot.
i havent been on ur chanel in ages and i js came back nearly a year later and ur still producing such high quality content. keep it up 🙏
Thanks, I'm super grateful you think so
That cup, though... Man's got his priorities straight.
Of course
sometimes that desire to enter the flow state while creating overcomes the fear of starting
and that flow state creates nice moments
anyways amazing video, really motivating
my struggles are the EXACT same as yours, i really needed this video. thank you youtube recommendations
I don't need to think originally. I watch a movie, show or read a book, and think that I want to make something like that! I then think about what amuses me the most about the project (it's usually their vibe or themes) and I write something centered around that. If it seems similar to the inspiration, I redo it again and again to the point where it's something different, and the inspiration is no longer the pivot, rather what I've created myself.
I rarely leave comments on videos, but I kind of teared up while watching (which surprised me as well). I picked this video as background noise for studying, but I think it helped me a lot more than I thought it would, and I feel like I've realized a lot of things about myself. I can't explain the feeling precisely, but I'm glad this appeared in my home page
I'm very grateful to hear it, and glad you could reflect -that's important. Best wishes to you.
You gotta be one of my favorite youtubers of all time, so insightful and inspiring, thank you!
Thanks, I really appreciate it
Wow! Your video was such a great lesson, I've learned so much. I have been trying to improve my writing and reading skills, working on worldbuilding, and striving to be a unique and authentic person. I wish you a great life, and I hope your channel continues to grow and reach many people. Thank you!
Creativity is an act of self-reflection within the fluid, interconnected fabric of human experience. Authenticity, therefore, does not hinge on what is objectively new but on how deeply one can relate to and express the essential truths within their own existential purpose.
As a writer, this was something I really struggled with when I first started. I think we're the same age or around the same age, so we might have been experiencing this around the same time. Something I noticed was that the more I allowed my mind to wander and just live, experiencing a range of books, film, theatre, music etc, the more I started to pick out things that I wanted to say, stories I wanted to tell, places and characters I wanted to visit with fascinating, deep characters I wanted to know more about. I heard Malcom Gladwell say, 'It's not the writer's job to supply the ideas. It''s to be patient enough to find the ideas.' I guess what I'm trying to say is that ideas and stories come from an active and curious imagination, and as you say, it very much depends on what you're feeding it and how much.
i absolutely love this video so much, ive never been really good at expressing my thoughts into words but originality and creativity are values that ive expressed through visual art rather than words, and this video encapsulates that so well.
Thank you, I'm grateful to hear it. By no means is it easy, but as long as we keep at it, we can't really fail. Best of luck to you.
So far my Substack journey has made me realise just how mentally draining being a writer is. It was my first time having my work public and yes people are supportive on the platform but writer jealousy and imposter syndrome is real!!! And very painful. I’m not jealous of their work but not being as successful and having the same community can make a person feel terrible.
I think a lot of people think their work is not original because of the lack of success. They think there is nothing special in their work but that’s not true. I think the best thing is to write what you enjoy and what makes you happy, not really trying to impress anyone. What I’ve learnt is the right audience will come who enjoy your story telling and ‘originality’
I totally agree although I will say my biggest motivation is impressing myself and intrinsically the reason I even want to make this thing is because I can't find it anywhere else and because of that it's more fun to admire the finished product I made and plan accordingly then actually doing the work I.e starting a new page
Tolkien and Lewis were known for their strolls. its the way of the thinking man to work his legs through different elements, rain, shine, uphill, downhill. We have become removed from our natural paths and are ingrained in the silicone chips of netflix and youtube. This was an excellent video. thank you!
My way of Finding the unbeaten path i wanna take.. I really believe in a strong sense of curiosity. You want to keep questioning life. Always ask why. And you'll find Eventually you will ask a question That nobody has answered. That is your original place of discovery! Imagine you Answer that question for yourself.. Then that leads you to ask more questions. And more. Plus when you follow your own curiosity it gives you emotions. Which make you retain what youve learned far more than simply consuming what you feel inclined to chase.
Also, as my favorite Bible verse goes:
“What has been will be again,
what has been done will be done again;
there is nothing new under the sun.”
So no need to worry about 100% originality at all
For sure, and good ideas aren't meant to be said once and forgotten.
This is very inspiring, as if you read my thoughts.
I always hesitate, but today I learned that all I need is to talk to the camera, and the rest will find its way later.
Keep being awesome, Odysseas!
Thanks man, best of luck to you with your projects
@@odysseas__ 🩶
the playlist to study like a medieval philosopher is the realest thing in this video
Truly amazing video!! I was wondering on the point where you said that we need to give ourselves time to just think and be and how that's not possible in the dopamine-addicted world right now. Is that why the best ideas seem to come to us while we are showering? 👀
I mean it is one of the only few times I can think of that we are not connected or constantly being bombarded with information and content. Anyways, amazing video, you got a new subscriber!!
Thank you, and welcome! I genuinely think that's the reason. I notice it also happens a lot when I try to sleep at night -if I didn't give myself silence the whole day, that's the only chance where I get to think and it becomes almost overwhelming. Just a theory though.
"Originiality" is basically the writers' version of "artstyle". I draw and paint on a level that I could do it professionally. And I see all these young artists or professionals stressing over artstyle. I never got it, because all the advice given about it "just draw, you will develop your artstyle". But it seems vast majority of people don't believe that or can't wait. They want to develop that artstyle NOW. Doesn't matter of their skills or taste, they need to develop it now or else they won't stand out on Instagram's feed and algorhitms. But all they can do is to copy their favorite artists.
So... what's the key? There has to be something specific other than "just draw". And there is. Subject matter.
Subject matter is basically what makes your artstyle. Even if you have the exact same way of stylization as dozens of other people, you can do something they are not: Drawing different subjects. Right now, doing portraits of pretty Pinterest girls in a neutral expression in a pixar/anime artstyle is the trend. People try to do "their take" on it. And 99% don't get attention and are generic. Once you see 30 different paintings of the same photo, you get really sick of it and just scroll past...
But what if there's something else than a pretty Pinterest portrait? What if you draw that pretty Pinterest girl doing an autopsy? Or being a pirate while a cannon ball flies past her head? Or... what if there's another person in the photo?!?!?! 95% of artists seem to be too intimidated to even try drawing two people in the same photo at once. That's too much work for a single picture. And... thus their art is generic. It's lifeless, soulless. It's just pretty pictures. I might want to put it on a wall, but I won't think about it. I won't obsess over it. Not a single modern artist seems to have done that for me with their art alone... Unless we're talking about movies or video games. Not drawing. Not painting. Not writing.
Writing. I want you to think about this now from the writers' perspective. What is the key? Subject matter.
Almost all the "icks" and "problems" and "pet peeves" and criticism of modern writing boils down to the generic and soulless subject matter. Tropes galore. Mature themes handled with the care of a clocksmith with arthritis. Most heavy handed social commentary that's just about pointing and laughing. Overly complex magic systems. Overly complex science fiction. Overly self-aware. Overly subversive. Brunette white boy twink vampires.
Modern writing has a huge subject matter problem. So if you want to stand out, if you want to make something that matters and people will read, it's ALL about the subject matter.
What's up ✌️ First time watching your videos. Earned a subscription after five minutes. I'm eighteen, working on sorting my life out, and I want to write really badly, but I don't have the confidence or the hope to start. This video is an inspiration to me, because I know right now I'm at a crucial crossroad: I can either sit around and consume all day, or I can get up and live my life, pursue creativity. Thank you for your work. The reason you, and by extension your videos, are so compelling is because they're genuine. Go in peace
Thank you, and I love to see you're taking it into your own hands. Best wishes from me.
I'm in almost the same exact boat as you. Maybe not write, but create SOMETHING. I draw, write shitty poetry and lyrics, so I know I love creating, and so I figure, why not give this method of creation a shot? Was inspired by John Green tbh
Another great video. I have been pondering the question you posed at 13:48 myself recently. Less in a causative sense, but more exploring the linkage between the etymology of the word 'passion' and the idea of suffering, i.e. that the most passionate people, of which we are most familiar with artists due to their work, are those who are suffering most greatly
i don't really think that's how it is. Suffering is way too broad of a term, as that it could be put almost exclusively on artists. I would argue the starving children in Africa or the victims of violent crime or something like that are suffering the most.
I get your point, but I would say artists are just more open about their problems than other people, as expressing feelings, and maybe exaggerating them, is an important part of art.
Also, I think we tend to put too much emphasis on suffering artists, due to the stereotype of the suffering, crazy, unhinged, traumatised artist. Most artists are perfectly fine people, and we just don't know about other people with the same condition, because they weren't famous artists.
Wow, definitely an underrated video. It’s so easy to read the books that you’ve seen everywhere. Atomic Habits is a great example. I have not read it yet, but I see it everywhere! Tons of people also recommend this book. But, those who have read it, tell me it’s mostly things they already knew.
Enjoyed the video, you are putting into practice exactly what you are preaching, fantastic!
I also feel that there are a few other aspects of creativity that are important, at least for me.
- Practice -> do the thing often and with intensity. Kobe Bryant/David Goggins/Richard Feynman come to mind here. A mastery of the fundamentals frees up the mind to be more creative.
- Feedback from those you trust -> getting real and honest feedback from those you respect and trust helps you really understand how you are really developing.
As Feynman states: “The first principle is that you must not fool yourself-and you are the easiest person to fool.”
Thanks, and feedback is such a big one, but as you say, it's only when it has a reliable source. The internet makes that part tricky too.
You saved my life thank you
To be able to tell stories you have to live them first yk and it's better than brainstorming for an idea that keeps refusing to come out.
I'm gonna broaden the genres that I read
Dude, I literally went on a walk yesterday- mind you, it is not a common occurrence- and polished up my idea for my English recount assignment, which I've been agonising myself about for the past week. Consider me 'mind blown'. (Also, creeped out because youtube somehow always knows what to recommend to me...)
Man, you're genuinely one of the only people on here from whom I actually learn something. When watching almost all the other content that aims to support and aid people in their journey of learning etc; I feel like it's just stimulation for my brain, which gives me the illusion of having learnt something or having done something of worth. This is not the case with your content. I wish to see much more of you! Greetings from Germany, have a nice weekend!
This has to be one of my favorites TH-cam videos ever, so good. Tnx man
Thank you, I'm grateful to hear it
Tolkien AND Glukhovsky on your shelf? Mad respect.
Two of the greats
It is clear how much more creative I became when I started writing on paper instead. It's amazing how many ideas flowed so smoothly.
As a young guy i have started to write as a hobby, i often watch "video esseys" to educate myself on what i like and would like to do. I have traveled the world and im lucky enough to have an insight of what people think and do, my writing isnt exceptional yet, i like my ideas, and a lot of people like them too, i just lack the method to make them work, this applies for me in writing, for now i simply limit myself to get pre made fictional peaces and reinvent them by my own interpretation, trying to get the depth of the characters and the execution of the plot, but i would be really glad if someone gave me advice.
I dont intend to make writing my career, not now at least, it started out as a hobby because i liked my ideas and i wanted to share them, so i want to get as better as possible.
i can indeed agree to the media part and mostly all of this video, amazing work. Every ad, every hyperlink, every scroll, is just indefinitely making us slaves to this great trap of, id like to say "lust" (not just referring to sexual desires and pleasure, but referring to the never ending need to stimulate our brains and fill them with content which is perhaps useless in the first place). As a teenager, I can very easily state that this is a fact in today's generation, we're controlled by things we didn't even want initially, its all a trap, an elaborate system to make us do what artificiality wants, just for mere profits. social media brands dont realise how they're making the youth useless with each progressing day. its hard for me to just focus on what im actually thinking, rather than getting involved in the infinite sea of pointless content which gratifies temporarily. felt good seeing this channel, your ideas are really raw and unique, i appreciate this.
The advice to live an interesting, outgoing life is a dangerously crushing thing to suggest. Many writers (not all, but many), are introverts, and sometimes to a pathological degree. Telling them their withdrawn, quiet lives cannot create original writing is a sure way to discourage huge numbers of writers with great potential; and it's advice a) not heard infrequently by a fair number of writers who are b) very outgoing themselves. Turn it around and consider e.g. Pessoa's Book of Disquiet, in which the protagonist frequently emphasises the richness of his inner life in comparison with the horrors that is external life.
I agree, and I didn't say that. I just emphasised living with intention and being aware of the details around you, like with the coffee shop example.
@@odysseas__ Fair enough, still good to point out the distinction
It is entirely possible to be an introvert and still live a wide range of experiences, not all of them come from direct social interaction, many things can just be observed
If I understood your definition of "introvert" correctly, the word is kind of used in many different meanings nowadays, so it will be helpful for further discussion if you can provide what you mean by it
Your videos are getting better and better. So happy for you.
I love your editing style
Also, this video is especially helpful for me. ‘Allow time to think’ is definitely what I needed at this point in time. You explained it well with the analogy of muscle growth.
I love the B roll and A roll in the videos, it's so simple but also so impactful much better then the highly edited stuff nowadays
Thanks, I'm trying to get better at it so this is very reassuring.
Loved this video. You're spot on with everything you've said here. Having published a few fantasy novels, I find that following the combination of my unique interests is the fastest path to finding something fresh and exciting. For instance, one book might take an architectural idea I'm fascinated with (I used to be an architect), along with an interesting magic system I've not seen before (which itself is the combination of several sources of inspiration), and then merge that with the structure of another story I really liked (i.e. a redemption arc).
When I started out, my writing felt way more imitative of authors I admired. But like you said here, once you just produce volume, your unique sense of voice will shine through.
Keep up the great work with the channel!
Thanks, and that's amazing to hear directly from a writer. When it's your own passion, you truly see the energy in the words. Best wishes with your writing!
Absolutely lucky to have found this video ♥️♥️♥️
My man is truly cooking lately. Thank you for your wisdom
Thanks man, I appreciate it
And that's really awesome because we're figuring out, like studying and analysing, how our brains creativity work, and that is something that make us humans! We're figuring out our humanity, and what made possible for the ancient people to be so brilliant - they didn't get bombed with information all day all week, and had the time to wise a little, literally living the meaning of "ócio" (idk how that's said in English, it's like a free time you have to simply be with your thoughts). Yesterday I saw a TEDtalk from Jon Jandai named "Life is easy. Why do we make it so hard?", it may be very contributional for this discussion. ❤
Thank so much for uploading this video and sharing your knowledge!! 🙏
So,
1)consume a lot
2)stop consuming(Rest) and think ideas from what you have consumed
3)create
repeat from step 1)
That's a good way to put it
It applies to sciences as well, just live the science you love, its wonderful.
It's a good idea to think every once in a while what stories you will tell your grandchildren in however many years
Dude, subbed. The whole time I was watching this, it felt like you made this video specifically for me.
Love to hear that, and welcome!
I like the audio in your videos very much, the silence is beautiful.
Thank you
There’s a comment somewhere near the top saying ‘the first step is to not think originally’. I want to expand on that, you have to be content with taking inspiration from other people. Most great artists stole from somewhere else, but what made them different is the fact they also largely brought in their own thoughts and actions, because everyone is original, we are all 1:1. So although Shakespeare took from Ovid and The Bible, although Kurosawa took the stories of Shakespeare, and although George Lucas was heavily inspired by Kurosawa. They were all able to add their own flavour to the ingredient, which made it special.
Loved the video man. I recall seeing one of your obsidian videos, great to see your content is so diverse!
Thank you, I really appreciate it
Thank you, I've watched a couple of your recent videos and am so grateful for the impact you chose to have on this world. You have beautiful ideas, and you conduct them wonderfully. Thinking, a resource we all have equal access to, yet it seems to be so undesired these days. I'm excited to wake up tomorrow and live a slightly different way - as you've changed me, and all of us really, in some way. Forever. Cheers!
So grateful to hear this, thank you and I wish you all the good things to come.
Excellent. I was just looking for a guide on how to think originally, because I couldn't I figure it out myself. I love that someone else is so wise and can tell me exactly how to be original!
Edit: this is a joke because the title is paradoxical
I'm going to assume you didn't watch the video from this comment. At no point do I tell you what exactly to think-just how you can create the conditions in your life for original, personal ideas to flourish from.
If you already knew that stuff, then great, this video wasn't aimed at you.
@@odysseas__ Okay I was just kidding, I found the title ironic and impossible. Sorry if it isn't clear enough
I know what you mean, it is just a paradox
@@tj-co9go No worries, I interpreted it like a criticism.
This is an amazing video! I’m a fiction writer currently working on an anthology of short stories and poetry. I specifically related with the bit about ‘living first, creating later’. That’s literally where I’m at in my creative process. Yesterday I went over to a bar close to home. The stories I heard were so amazing and very original. Ergo, inspiration! I always have strange dreams that are hauntingly vivid. Like, I can smell stuff in my dreams. This calls to show that all the inspiration I’ve ever needed finds a way to cook itself within me and then re-present itself to me. It’s mind blowing!
Thanks for the video. You have gained a follower. It’d be cool to exchange some ideas some time.🙏🏿
Thank you💜I resonates with what you have expressed within the entire video, and it is basically what I have been telling myself but this was more enforced and refreshing from someone else's perspective to which you mentioned differently approaches to how to develop originally, and how to think and engage. My focus is getting out of my comfort zone more and experiencing more for myself despite my circumstances. I am passionate about writing and visual art and this video is a scintilla for that. It's a learning process to look forward to.
Love to hear that, thank you. Best of luck too.
I've always felt like I'm in the cycle of consuming but never producing. I always have these ideas, and ambitions, but they are never allowed to become a reality. and when I finally get the chance to create and put my stuff out there, I'm stuck. because my ideas are short lived, unmotivated, and limited, reliant upon other, existing things. I feel like I need an idea that I love and feel like its validated. but I've realized that I just need to start. I can't wait for that breakthrough idea to come to me, it's a culmination of all my little ideas together. so now, when I don't know what to do or how to start, I just start, without a purpose, and then that purpose comes to me as my thoughts come together. (I kind of just did that with this comment lol)
My passtimes are quite technical, when I start thinking about a project, I love just going to a hardware shop and just looking at stuff, maybe a tool I didnt think about, some sort of mechanism I have never seen etc. Its kind of a wide info consumption that separates the projects you do to generic how-to videos.
Also I love "everything shops" the coolest ones tend to be in remote villages but they are dying out, seeing all this unrelated stuff in one place sometimes gets ideas flowing
Great video, I’ve actually been challenging myself to replace content I’ve been consuming with creating way more and only trying to intake quality content for the sake of better ideas. So the YT algorithm worked in my favor yet again - love how you incorporate the ad placement too - very natural with the video topic 🔥
Thank you, and best of luck ahead
I made a bingo game, I had an idea percolating in my head about probability and how to inspire divergent thought about probability. And it landed!
im a painter and as an adult I traveled to many places to experience the area, its people, food, and ambiance. I read many books, I viewed tons of paintings in real life, I immersed myself in hours of playful study with a variety of artists and artistic styles. I found connections between the arts. dance, music and painting for instance. as a teacher I introduced my students to an idea. filling 3 hats with three different ideas written on paper. the student was to pick one idea from each hate. then take those ideas and create an image. It opened my eyes to see differently and maybe some of my students. creative people, at least in my case, should take a break sometimes and mull the situation over. After a lion devours its prey, it lays down, naps, reflects, and mulls the possibilities over. it says to itself, maybe next time bring the catsup.
From my own experience, I can say, that everytime I'm writing a chapter, there's like one or two ideas that I'll randomly get, and most of the time they end up on the pages - of course I'm talking about creating situations that somewhat subvert, what I was thinking about the chapter, when I sat there with a blank page in front of me. Yea, life-changing comment i just wrote.
Very sound advice, original thinking comes from contemplation and taking notes. Try odd combinations of ideas to practice the creativity. LOVE the cup.
Honestly, I think ive always been one of the more original people within my social circle. But my fear didnt really come from being original, rather, whether my original idea will be consumed and respected. Im afraid of putting my heart over something just to end up like anyone else in this world... just some other dude who tried to do something, but alas, was not special enough to come out ontop.
Of course what im saying might sound like Im an unrealistic kid who wants to be special, but ever since I was a kid, this thought has never escaped my mind. No matter how much I tell myself that it's an immature thought, that thought of wanting to be special and unique and to be respected remains.
And yeah, I have evaluated all these feelings of myself. I know its flaws and what the right way of thinking might be for me, however non of that changes the fact that I want to noticed by the world. I want to be someone! Every time I've received a a great compliment, I am naturally humble and rationalize the compliment so that they don't think im that great, but deep within me, i am jumping with excitement, feeling ecstatic that someone noticed me and that someone thinks something good about me. But at the same time, I also realize that this reaction comes from deep rooted stuff in my past. I mean, I dont really have any real talent or great skill. At best, im below average when it comes to those who are ambitious.
Man, this is one of those times where what I write is just completely disorganized and all over the place. I guess i just wanted to quickly get this off my chest.
Edit: Sigh... look, I'll share a little bit of wisdom since I feel like not many people will read this, so the knowledge don't gets too spread out. The key to good writing isn't originality at all. Just like the video said, originality does not really exist like you think it does. No, originality isn't the key; execution is. It's all about how you communicate your feelings onto the page. It's about how you execute the ideas. That's why when you see another well written story about magic users and kingdoms, you don't think "ugh, how unoriginal" you think "how original, it's so well written" because your brain isn't really evaluating whether it's actually original or not, it's evaluating how well you consume it and how elegantly written everything is and how well thought out the story is. So, while originality in the sense that you didnt just copy it from others is important, it isn't the key, the key is how you put it. You can write the most unoriginal stuff out there, but if it's actually well done and engaging, more and more people will consume it.... now.... please don't use this knowledge to your advantage 🙏 I want to be the one who people look up to. 😂😂 anyways, good luck on your journey.
taking notes, thank you for this knowledge
I've been recently been stepping into these creative passions and it has been helping with allowing urself to discover new sources
Good stuff, hope it spirals upwards
this video proved to be suprisingly important for me, thanks Odysseas!
Glad to hear it, cheers
your definitely one of my favorite youtubers. love to listen while creating sometimes. i also love your mug lol.
Thank you, really grateful to hear this
Your videos keep getting better and better, content and production-wise.
Thanks, real glad you think so. I'm always looking to improve too.
How do your vids literally pop up exactly when I need them 😂
yes i like him. watch him. changed my thoughts a lot
One of the best “self help” videos I have watched in a while. Loved it
Thanks, means a lot to hear
well i think this is an original idea, never seen someone discussing this topic before.
or maybe it's my first time consuming this type of input!
Amazing video! One tip for being original from me as an musician is... to not be!
Allow me to explain: Sometimes taking already existing ideas and iterating upon them can produce something that while not completely original, it can still be unique.
Find a melodic phrase from a song, a chord progression from another, the rhythmic signature of a third track. Put them into the blender that is your mind and you will have something unique!
I am a bit eclectic in what music I consume, so my output is a creation unique to me, but clearly inspired by 70's electronic music.
When I draw, Images of already existing pieces of art come to my mind, they become a mesh of colors until something, hopefully unique, comes out.
Another tip is to approach a common idea from a different perspective. For a story idea, there are hundreds superhero stories, but how many focus on the average people and how they have to cope with the existence of superheroes and supervillains? Maybe it classes with their beliefs? Maybe they feel helpless and hope their town doesn't blow up as a part of a villain's scheme. Maybe they start a cult deifying the super-beings.
How about a horror story from the pov of the monster?
etc etc
The point is: Ideas are all around and how you discover them is a journey unique to every artist!!!
Thanks, and this is so true. Mathematically, there's trillions (and more) different end products you can produce, especially with more complicated domains.
Great advice! I love doing this with music as well. I give myself permission to pull from other work and always end up with something original.
5:00 Reminds me of how hundreds of people will comment the exact same thing in videos. Makes scrolling the comments boring and a little uncanny.
Oh my God YES! Like thousands of people will pick ONE aspect of a video and just comment the exact same thing. Zero variation!
just found your channel 4-5 days ago, addicted to your videos, thanks to youtube alogorithm, love u brother, friend, lots of love from INDIA
Cheers, I really appreciate it. Welcome too!
I love the way you think!
Thank you for making this video I have been struggling with my writing.
Much appreciated
I loved this so much, thank you
I'm grateful for it, thank you
5:34 I love reading and it was mainly fiction, but then I started watching anime a couple of years ago and one called Bungo Stray Dogs actually got me into reading classic literature. All of the characters are named after the real life authors; Osamu Dazai and Fyodor Dyostoevsky being my favorite’s. Even the show itself is amazing in storytelling. Regardless of whether it’s anime or not, I would recommend it to anyone.
You got no idea how many times i make shit then i realize someone made that shit the day after
It happens a lot, but you can always put a spin on it or improve it. Heck, even Shakespeare ripped off Greek stories in some of his most famous works, but he'd always change them up a lot.
Being alone with your thoughts is huge. Couple that with light physical exercise and you’re onto a winner. Some of the greatest creative minds and academic thinkers have credited walking to some of their “aha” moments. But I’m sure you could exchange walking for swimming or riding a bike. I even have some interesting thoughts while jogging in my training for 50k trail runs. I noticed earlier in the year that I was just feeling unsettled. I had been consuming too much garbage content, so I decided to take a 45 minute run without my headphones. Since then, I really look forward to my “raw dog” run. My writing is slowly improving and my sense of inner peace is through the roof.
Sound advice. I feel like we have gotten too used to both being sedentary and also blocking every thought out with a video or podcast. I remember when I used to go to bed after doing that, all the thoughts rushed in at once and it made me really anxious. Exercise is time for the mind to 'process' itself I guess.
@ a hundred percent mate. I got to a point where it seemed like I hadn’t had a thought of my own for months. Even when I was meditating I would find myself mulling over nonsense I was consuming on TH-cam.
Anyway, great video and great channel. Earned yourself a follow. Keep them coming.
@@Browny84 Cheers, I appreciate it
Thoroughly enjoyed this, thank you 😊
Great video thank you. I’m a newer writer…well idk how to say that, I’ve written all my life but never thought about it as something that was a part of me until 5 years ago or so and even more so this past couple years. I suffer from imposter syndrome and overthink my writing so much. The originality thing is a big issue as well…and even wondering if your “originality” is even good or something people may like. Or dare I say if that even matters…
4:35 move to the hood is crazy
i was taken aback by this example
@@pradat6693lol why
0:43 Oh darn, I have the exact same laptop wallpaper
Now a normal guy like me have something new, something worth trying in the world of geniuses.
Loved your ideas man. Thank you❤
This was a phenomenal video
Thanks you, I'm grateful to hear it