Dococom

Creative Minds need many things, psychological researchers, scientists, and even neurologists tell us that the human brain needs sleep to stay at its creative peak. Ask any true creative genius and they’ll tell you the same thing, and in my day, I’ve met more than a few, even been accused of being one myself, and yes, I agree with this wisdom.

Not long ago, a very wise electronic arts instructor told me that “the top creative minds need play time to stay at the top of their game!” and she meant it too. Yes, this makes sense too, as too much concentration in any one thing without a break can actually defeat what you are trying to do, especially when it comes to high-end creativity.

Now then, I’d like to make another point of contention and that is that play time is great, but only if it is not used as an excuse for shortcomings in work ethic, character, or “writer’s block” syndrome. If someone has those problems, they do not need more time off, they need a kick in the butt, or help with their mental issues. The reality is that creative genius types often come with baggage.

The entertainment sector has many superstar creative types in it, but over the years, not many of them impress me much, sure a few are over the top brilliant “creative geniuses” in their own right. But the rest of them, well, much of what they create is crap, it’s not art, it’s only promoted as art, and we are all supposed to stand up and cheer? Bull, bad art, is bad art period.

This is not to say that the bad artists who lack talent do not come up with an awesome work of art once in a while, they do, surely they do, and we ought to congratulate them when they do, absolutely. Still, we must be honest with ourselves, and disallow the “play time” copout. Although it is a consideration, it should not be abused by artists. Here is the thing;

If you love what you do, then it is all “play-time” anyway. If you don’t love what you do, why are doing it?

Further, those who claim to be advanced creative teams, often aren’t, what they produce is not good enough. We need better and we deserve more. Why do I say this? Simple, you see, they take monies, grants, R and D dollars and piss it away on crap, much of what they produce is crap, or they fail to meet what’s expected, then they claim they need more time off because they are Too Stressed?

That’s just weakness, pure and simple, they cannot perform, that is failure, it is unacceptable. So, the right amount of play time is good, but it should only be granted for those who perform and produce brilliant works in the electronic arts.