Creativity

Or lack thereof.

Recently I've noticed a significant lack of creativity... So much that plagiarism runs rampant and parents have taken to naming their children after fruits...

Alice in Wonderland, produced by Tim Burton this year, was a huge success. Not only because it contained a bunch of big name actors or the producer happens to be the new Spielberg, but because of the creativity shown both in Lewis Carroll's story, as well as Burton's visualization for the set, costumes, and props.

It takes viewers into a foreign world in our own backyard, where caterpillars can talk and the daisies can argue. It builds a kingdom of solid white, and shows a mad man who really isn't that mad at all. It reminds viewers of the things they once believed in as a child. Ask yourself: Do I still believe in this?

What happened to our creativity? Where did it get lost? When did it become a rare thing to meet a creative person?

At some point in time, Creativity was crushed by the oppressive forces in the education system. We are told to stop dreaming and start working, almost constantly. Dreams have become laughable, and not in a good way. Dreams are officially labeled "Impossible." and stamped with a bright red ink stating "DENIED." Creative approaches are considered "too liberal" and the creator is mocked and humiliated.

Creativity has been so crushed that now students shudder at the words "creative assignment." Rarely is the assignment done, much less is it original. For the most part, it's a PowerPoint presentation or a three minute lecture, then it's forgotten for the rest of the year.

Creativity is frowned upon. Do not veer from the recipe, it will either a) taste bad, b) create a mess, c) be too obscure for people to convince themselves to try it, on the off chance they might enjoy it, or d) all of the above.

When we're young, we're discouraged from coloring outside the lines. It doesn't look good, and all appearances must be in order, so that if anybody sees it, it will be dull, boring, and completely unremarkable. The same goes for coloring a dog pink, or drawing people with exceptionally colorful skin. All must be totally realistic.

Few consider that sometimes, the tired mind needs an escape from the realistic. Sometimes, the completely awake mind in a state of pure sobriety must escape from the tenebrous reality known as life.

Renew the arts. Start a modern renaissance. Encourage imagination. Encourage unreality.

Be weird. Be different. Be creative.