"Analyze your own hits against your meh songs to find the difference." Isn't that a bit depressing? Seems to mean "Wait until other people indicate what they like, then replicate that." Contrary to traditional definitions of art... 😕
Important question around the value of art. The book “the gift” has an answer to this - I won’t spoil it completely but it depends on intention. A similar discussion is letting data inform but not lead you. Personally I think there is room to distill learnings and create, but order matters.
Also curious what you think of commercially successful artists. How does being mainstream impact the value of their art?
Thanks for the book recommendation! "Letting data inform but not lead" hits the nail on the head.
Commercial success/failure is, I feel, entirely independent of artistic value. But work which has been created with commercial success as an objective is arguably less like art, more like craft.
I tend to think of figures like Beethoven, Nietzsche and Stravinsky. They didn't aim to please. If they did, I doubt we would have heard of them.
I realize this is older but having just found this I found it so insightful. reminiscent of how I felt when reading Dr Fei-Fei Lis The worlds I see and how she viewed Physics. The intersection of Science and Art occurs much more often that many think. Thank you for shining a light on this here
This is packed with interesting thoughts, Vicky. Loved how you take us through so many viewpoints, quotes and opposing ideas.
Ever since you mentioned it I've been reconsidering the concept of "creativity", how it's usually too abstract and misunderstood. But you're right, there's some replicable formulas there, and even further, it's everywhere and becomes a way to go through life fearlessly.
Brilliant piece. Every word and sentence mattered. Please write more!!
Thank you Fei!! Will write more ✍️✍️ emerging out of hiatus 😅
Thank you for writing this. Very relevant as we claim intelligence for algorithms and more and more need to embrace our creative inheritance.
Thank you for sharing this - beautifully said for this moment in time. Creative inheritance - I love that
"Analyze your own hits against your meh songs to find the difference." Isn't that a bit depressing? Seems to mean "Wait until other people indicate what they like, then replicate that." Contrary to traditional definitions of art... 😕
Important question around the value of art. The book “the gift” has an answer to this - I won’t spoil it completely but it depends on intention. A similar discussion is letting data inform but not lead you. Personally I think there is room to distill learnings and create, but order matters.
Also curious what you think of commercially successful artists. How does being mainstream impact the value of their art?
Thanks for the book recommendation! "Letting data inform but not lead" hits the nail on the head.
Commercial success/failure is, I feel, entirely independent of artistic value. But work which has been created with commercial success as an objective is arguably less like art, more like craft.
I tend to think of figures like Beethoven, Nietzsche and Stravinsky. They didn't aim to please. If they did, I doubt we would have heard of them.
You are one of my favorite writers here on substack! Glad you’re back!
What an honour! Thank you for saying so and more to come!!!
Loved this piece. So many great ideas and very motivational to go pursue something original.
The best thing to hear 🫶 more pursuing from my end as well! Thank you for reading and sharing 🫣
This is great, Vicky! The quintessential intersectional piece. Love this view, one that I have embraced myself years ago.
Thank you Silvio! Took some time to finally write this piece - still more I want to unpack!
I realize this is older but having just found this I found it so insightful. reminiscent of how I felt when reading Dr Fei-Fei Lis The worlds I see and how she viewed Physics. The intersection of Science and Art occurs much more often that many think. Thank you for shining a light on this here
Absolutely love that last line: Creativity is seeing fearlessly. By seeing fearlessly, creativity becomes a proxy for intelligence. 💕
This is packed with interesting thoughts, Vicky. Loved how you take us through so many viewpoints, quotes and opposing ideas.
Ever since you mentioned it I've been reconsidering the concept of "creativity", how it's usually too abstract and misunderstood. But you're right, there's some replicable formulas there, and even further, it's everywhere and becomes a way to go through life fearlessly.
Nice! Keep these intelligent pieces coming :)