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www.WritingResource.org/
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
On creativity...
EEveryone can create and each human is unique. Creativity is a quality of being. Some people are more creative than others and environmental influences may encourage, nurture, or inhibit the creative impulse. Creativity can be taught. Various strategies and methods are used in teaching art, writing, furniture-making, or gardening. And these creative efforts can be enhanced by encouragement. Experience which may nurture creativity is difficult to identify, since this experience is subjective. Learning how to fish or learning how to paint might both have an equivalent effect for a particular person. The use of tools is not particularly creative, in adults or children, but this behavior has been used as a measure for defining intelligence. We may all be born with inherent creative talents. And variable strengths, weaknesses, attitudes, and levels of skill would seem quite normal. Tapping into imagination is a learned skill. Too many of us are taught, for our first 17 years... or more... to think inside various boxes, ideas, constructs, subjects, and topics. Perhaps this teaches us how not to be creative and inhibits our natural impulses. Skill and creativity are related. Originality and imagination require both. The ability to hold a tune and paint are skills not magic. We need not pretend that creativity is magic, divine, or connected to brilliance. Creative artists may be intelligent or rather dull. They may be religious or not. And they may or may not believe in magic. Creativity can flourish with or without payment... but payment certainly can help. It would be foolish to pretend otherwise. Starvation, suffering, sickness, poverty, and death... would not seem to enhance creativity. Those who do not recognize creativity (or believe it to be important) may simply not be paying attention. History provides myriad examples. Creativity, talent, genius, and magic are four different terms for variable (if related) constructs. Tapping the imagination, having natural talents, being born a genius, or having experienced the paranormal... are all incredible and ponderous ideas we can either label as mysteries or accept as realities. Hard work, focus, and determination can enhance what many see as magic. Creativity is hard work. Genius, by definition, is measurable at so tender an age that it might be considered genetic. And talent is as likely a gift as it may be a simple choice. Wise people have learned not to attempt to define or explain any of these phenomena. Instead, some investigate reports of paranormal experience in literature, history, or current events. Such research finds the vast majority of these events to be explicable. But a certain percentage of documented experience falls outside what we define as normal. But our normal may only be the tip of the iceberg. We might all possess "paranormal" skills which could astound the scientist, artist, historian, teacher, anthropologist, journalist, or researcher. We humans may be much more than we perceive or comprised of more parts than we comprehend. This is not a statement of belief, science, religion, or any such method or authority... just a demonstrable statement of historic record. The sun coming up is not magic. Genius may be inborn. Talent matters. And experience, teaching, and learning make a difference. But big Al probably got it right: imagination is more important than knowledge. And the rest is commentary... I have enjoyed these impassioned conversations... with best regards, Tim
Creativity
Mood:
 celebratory
Now Playing: Around...
Topic: Writing Resources
"Creativity is a demonstrably teachable ability. A propensity for creative imagination is latent in all of us. Some of us lose this capacity when we become "adults," and others do not discover their creative muse until much later in life.
The human ability to create meaningful new ideas varies considerably across culture, age, gender, class, race, nationality, and intellect. The source of this skill may include genetics, learning style, experience, parenting, and the efficacy of this talent varies according to individual quirks, styles, and choices. But creative synthesis is the key."
~~Some feel creativity cannot be taught, but many disagree. I am a retired teacher and have taught thousands of students how to create myriad things: essays, poems, stories, columns, newspapers, presentations, websites, powerpoints, films, photographs, art, gardens, etc. Creating things involves various skill sets based on using a variety of tools. Then end result, while subjective, is demonstrably teachable.
As for "uniqueness...," I fear this is simple vanity. We are finite creatures working with finite mediums. What humans create is not unique. These creations have precipitated across centuries. New stories are not new. All of human "wisdom" has been explored. But we can communicate or explore the same territory differently...
"All truly wise thoughts have been thoughts already thousands of times; but to make them truly ours, we must think them over again honestly, till they take root in our personal experience." Goethe
It is less important that we define or explain creativity, than it is to acknowledge that creativity is measurable, teachable, vital, and delightful. While creativity may not be magic... discovery, invention, and imagination can result in delectably inexplicable and mysterious creations which move, inspire, or touch us. Some people ARE clearly more creative than others. Such is the human condition.
When we encounter creativity in writing, art, science, music, film, stories, or ideas... we can appreciate the experience without having to account for the process. Most of us understand that art, ideas, or inventive reconstructions can have ineffable, intangible, and even redemptive impacts on our lives. We tend to savor these gifts,
enjoy the experience, may even be fundamentally changed. And why not?
Injustice
Mood:
 energetic
Now Playing: Martin's thoughts about injustice...
Topic: Activism Newsletter
In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. Martin Luther King Jr. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Martin Luther King Jr., Letter from Birmingham Jail, April 16, 1963 Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. Martin Luther King Jr. Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity. Martin Luther King Jr., Strength to Love, 1963
Injustice
Mood:
energetic
Now Playing: Martin's thoughts about injustice...
Topic: Activism Newsletter
In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. Martin Luther King Jr. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Martin Luther King Jr., Letter from Birmingham Jail, April 16, 1963 Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. Martin Luther King Jr. Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity. Martin Luther King Jr., Strength to Love, 1963
Friday, February 5, 2010
Monday, November 23, 2009
Writingresources: Tutoring
Mood:
 bright
Now Playing: WritingResource.info
Topic: Writing Resources
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| “The pen is mightier than the sword, and considerably easier to write with.”
– Marty Feldman (1934-1982) |
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| | Submit a Writing Sample | 
| | Or just schedule your first appointment |
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| We all have important values and ideas, things we care about and want to share. Sometimes our ideas can be put into action. Other ideas inspire writing. Effective writing preserves ideas and inspires action.
This site includes information about writing, rhetoric, linguistics, and communication. Since communicating isn't always easy, we include photos and images that convey our message.
Please contact us to arrange for tutoring, editing, or consultation sessions.
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and Communication...
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| Please get in touch to offer comments, submit a writing sample, or join our mailing list
by using the form belolw.
| | | | WkWriting Sample or Question: | | | | | Copyright 2009: The Wordsmith Collection
Oregon Membership Nonprofit for Public Benefit
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Sunday, January 8, 2006
Sharon's stroke and Pat Robertson's crude intimations...
Mood:
 irritated
Now Playing: www.AlternativeNewsResource.org/
Topic: Politics
The religious right in America has once again responded to human tragedy with ignorance and depravity. Pat Robertson, Bush's buddy... claims Sharon is inheriting his medical problems due to his faint praise and belated support of the removal of "settlers" from territories they illegally occupied. Clearly Sharon has been grossly overweight for a number of years. His stroke was predictable, but had nothing to do with the "religious right's" pontifications... I hope Sharon recovers. I hope the Middle-East recovers... tmf Michael Trigoboff wrote: >At 08:49 AM 1/8/2006, you wrote: >>I hope the man recovers to at least resume >>his personal life on some level. Mark wrote: >I think it would be best for ultimate peace there if he recovers fully. It'd take a miracle, but then again we're talking about the Holy Land, so who knows?
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Theh tide is turning....
Mood:
celebratory
Topic: Politics
I wish I shared your optimism Michael. We still have corrupted voting machines which can be shuffled and redeployed at will.
We must address this problem before we can hope to change course or find our way home… The Republican machine has chinks in its armor, but the machine is still intact and controls the executive branch, congress, the supreme court, the media, and yes… 1/3 of the voting machines… We still have much work ahead of us between now and next November. But I am thankful that the truth is finding its way to the mainstream, in spite of the obstacles we face.,
best regards, Tim Box 22/Lake Oswego,OR/97034-0003
503-697-1670 ICQ#: 41518726
activism@peaceresource.com
From: Michael W. Morrow
Sent: Sunday, November 27, 2005 9:39 AM
To: Discussions of political issues and topics
Subject: Tick, tick, tick
Bush was able to steal the White House a second time by stealing what is probably THE most corrupt state in the nation.
The thieves and liars are goin' down.
Schmidt's toast in Cong 2. Ney's toast. DeWine's toast. Taft has slandered that once proud family name.
In 06 the turnaround in Ohio will lead the return of democracy in America.
Gotta love it!
Ohio Scandals May Give Democrats a Lift
Republicans' Standing In Key State Endangered
By Peter Slevin
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, November 27, 2005; Page A05
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The scandal began as a curiosity. Tom Noe, a gregarious businessman and Republican Party leader in northwest Ohio, had been entrusted with $50 million in state money to invest in rare coins, with the idea of winning fat returns for the workers' compensation fund.
It seemed an oddity at most, but like a loose thread on a jacket, the more investigators pulled, the more the garment unraveled, revealing members of Ohio's Republican establishment who had been wined, dined and enriched by Noe.
Gov. Bob Taft (R), heir to the state's most famous political name, pleaded no contest in August to accepting secret freebies from Noe and others and was fined $4,000. Members of his staff admitted borrowing money from Noe or using his Florida Keys vacation home. Millions in state funds proved to be missing from Noe's accounts.
As Republicans raced to distance themselves from Noe, a federal grand jury in Toledo indicted him last month on charges that he illegally funneled $45,400 in campaign contributions to President Bush's reelection campaign. Prosecutors said he circumvented the $2,000 limit on individual contributions by getting 24 friends and associates to make the contributions, and reimbursing them.
Although Noe protests he is innocent, investigators are asking how far the growing scandal will go, and political consultants are measuring the potential fallout in a crucial Midwestern state controlled by the GOP. Historically, power has been split between the major parties in Ohio, but Republicans have won the past two presidential elections, and taken hold of both U.S. Senate seats and the state legislature in recent years. Republicans have occupied the governor's office since 1990.
The Republican brand in Ohio last week picked up another dent when six-term Rep. Robert W. Ney was identified as the recipient of favors -- including a golf trip to Scotland, meals and sports tickets -- from lobbyists Jack Abramoff and Michael Scanlon in return for official actions. A lawyer for the central Ohio congressman denied the allegations.
Last year, the GOP caucus in the state legislature was buffeted by reports of improper fundraising and self-dealing by two consultants working for the Republican speaker of the state House.
With Ney under a cloud and Taft's approval rating diving to a historically low 15 percent in a Columbus Dispatch poll, Democrats hope to harness the scandals as part of a national campaign to paint their opponents as purveyors of arrogance and greed.
"My great fear politically is the Republicans will push him out of office," Rep. Chris Redfern, leader of the Democratic minority in the statehouse, said of Taft. "Keeping him in office is better for the Democrats than allowing him to leave under the cover of darkness."
Taft has pledged to finish his term and leave office in January 2007, as he is required to do by term limits. The governor's spokesman, Mark Rickel, dismissed the Democrats' criticisms of Taft.
"When the voters wanted solutions," Rickel said of Ohio Democrats, "they failed to offer solutions."
Ohio is the bellwether state that pushed President Bush over the top against Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) in the final hours of the November 2004 vote-counting. Often studied for signals of national importance, the state is suffering from a flat economy and damage to the president's standing by the increasingly unpopular war in Iraq.
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