Comment by wallflower | Hacker News Reader

Comment by wallflower | Hacker News Reader

When I meet someone at a party or a random event, I find that I hit it off most with those who genuinely want to create things with love, passion, and stubbornness and share them with people. Even if they are amateurish.

I ride the train every day and I see so many people just consuming content. Be it whatever they do on their Blackberry or iPhone or book or the local paper. I always smile when I see someone crocheting on the train.

We are a consumer society. I think, most of us, as developers and designers are especially privileged in the sense that we can bring form to thoughts - bring them into actuality.

To create is to be happier. Yes, it's good to watch the occasional TV show - but if you're just sitting there consuming content all day, it's a net trade deficit for you in the long run.

Thank you for posting Kanye West's heartfelt paen on creativity and the impermanence of life.

EDIT:

If you have not ever seen this, Ira Glass of This American Life on 'making stuff even when you know it sucks'. The power of persistence.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hidvElQ0xE

Related:

http://www.unlikelysalsero.com/2007/08/magic-of-time-last-on...

> We are a consumer society.

I don't think it's quite that bleak. The trick is that we only create in a small handful of arenas. So most of what we have in common with one another, most of what we do, is consume other people's productions.

But that guy passively consuming on the train might have a woodshop at home and could be reading about woodcraft and fueling his passion even as he consumes.

That guy on the blackberry could be exchanging recipes to further his own.

And who knows what might be going through the mind of the guy reading the paper. Perhaps you've just caught him during his 'offline, recharge' time. Where he steps back to broaden his awareness to stimulate new ideas.

Frankly, you have to take a pessimistic, judgmental (borderline-misanthropic) view of anyone not actively creating at any given moment to decide that most people do nothing but consume.

I'm sure the stereotypical mindless consumers exist. But I know that even creative people go through phases of their life that are like that.

But that's how it is with passion. If you don't have it, there's no sense trying to force a craft.

Thanks for your comments.

I don't think it is a bad thing that we may be a consumer society.

And you are correct in that observing people passively on the train without asking them about themselves is a biased filter.

In my biased worldview, I do believe strongly that most people are happier consuming content vs the pain and joy of producing original content (for example, the creative army behind a hit series like 'Big Love'). Personally, I am happiest when I am making something (whether it be a homemade crappy non-Hallmark but sentimental birthday card or some Cocoa code for an upcoming iPhone app). And it is very, very easy for my addictive personality to sit on the couch and surf on the iPhone until the battery low warning.

On a tangent, is why I believe Facebook/Twitter/et al. are positive - they allow people to share bits of their interests/lives.

Note: A few of the best conversations I have ever had have been with random strangers (non-regulars) on the train/airplane about their lives

Hey man, if there are a handful of creative people, there's got to be someone spending time appreciating it, or there's no audience.

There is not a single creator who does not also consume.

Hmm. I also feel like if everybody was creative we would be way over-saturated.

This might be true if everyone was able to publish top quality albums or illustrations and art- but what if everyone just made their own greeting cards instead of buying them? The world would probably be just fine if not better.

I read your comment this morning and it has stayed with me all day.

There is definitely something more to people who create, as well as consume. Whether they be a knitter, gardener, musician or developer.

Thanks for the Extra Video and read.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com