I really enjoy this line of reasoning. Thanks Todd. It makes me think of Scott Barry Kaufman’s concept of performative vulnerability, which, at least in my interpretation, is partly driven by media logic.
Routine, in an intelligent man, is a sign of ambition.
The composer and conductor John Adams shared the same sentiment,
My experience has been that most creative people I know have very, established routine and not particularly a glamorous one. Their work habits differ but their ability to do them consistently doesn’t. I think the thing we miss is it may not show up in a lot of unhealthy behaviours but most true geniuses have a consistency and discipline that is rare and almost obsessive. Stephen King apparently writes every day of the year including Christmas and his birthdays and he has a specific word count, Picasso only started painting at 2 pm in the afternoon and then painted it all night. Ronald Dahl got up every morning walked down the garden to a shed and wrote, Hemmingway despite living through two world war and an unbelievable amount of personal and physical suffering, was disciplined about writing every single day no matter.. what it probably kept him alive. So I think these incredible artists do have flaws and drama and battle all sorts of demons like the rest of us, but something drives them to consistently and relentlessly show up every day around a routine that they create for themselves to bring forth their genius.
Thanks. Did you read that small book daily rituals? Dozens of chapters each w the routines of different famous creators. It’s a tedious read a provably better as your paragraph. But interesting
It is sad that drama sells…..that’s some of why our world is compounding chaos. Here’s my wonder…. What if the mathematician is someone who accepts that challenges are just a normal part of life? Would she perhaps think that any obstacles she overcame were too insignificant to mention? Thinking out loud here 😉
My most popular post by far on this platform started with a sob story. 🤷 People interacted more than anything I'd ever written even though the point was that that story informs my writing. Still did the dishes though.
As I reflected on this, I wondered about the idea of permissible flaws. Some geniuses are lauded for their struggles (those you mentioned), but some geniuses are rejected outright despite their contributions due to some unforgivable flaw (cancel culture stuff). There’s a wiggly line that we need to reconcile.
“I just kept thinking about it. Every day. For years.”
Dang--what a recipe for success. I'm going to use this quote when I talk with students.
I mean that describes the rare dreamy student collaborator.
I really enjoy this line of reasoning. Thanks Todd. It makes me think of Scott Barry Kaufman’s concept of performative vulnerability, which, at least in my interpretation, is partly driven by media logic.
Thanks. Doesn’t surprise me we talk all the time @Scott Barry Kaufman and he has a great term there
I can only dream of being a fly on the wall, listening in on your conversations. I can’t imagine a more dynamic exchange.
Performative Vulnerability in a nutshell?
Your next book: Boring Geniuses.
Oooooh. Hey only 3 chapters away from a full draft of the one. It is time to think next. What about you? dM me
3 chapters away! Excellent! DM on the way.
I really love this article! W.H. Auden said,
Routine, in an intelligent man, is a sign of ambition.
The composer and conductor John Adams shared the same sentiment,
My experience has been that most creative people I know have very, established routine and not particularly a glamorous one. Their work habits differ but their ability to do them consistently doesn’t. I think the thing we miss is it may not show up in a lot of unhealthy behaviours but most true geniuses have a consistency and discipline that is rare and almost obsessive. Stephen King apparently writes every day of the year including Christmas and his birthdays and he has a specific word count, Picasso only started painting at 2 pm in the afternoon and then painted it all night. Ronald Dahl got up every morning walked down the garden to a shed and wrote, Hemmingway despite living through two world war and an unbelievable amount of personal and physical suffering, was disciplined about writing every single day no matter.. what it probably kept him alive. So I think these incredible artists do have flaws and drama and battle all sorts of demons like the rest of us, but something drives them to consistently and relentlessly show up every day around a routine that they create for themselves to bring forth their genius.
Thanks. Did you read that small book daily rituals? Dozens of chapters each w the routines of different famous creators. It’s a tedious read a provably better as your paragraph. But interesting
It is sad that drama sells…..that’s some of why our world is compounding chaos. Here’s my wonder…. What if the mathematician is someone who accepts that challenges are just a normal part of life? Would she perhaps think that any obstacles she overcame were too insignificant to mention? Thinking out loud here 😉
Agreed. Possible strength blindness. She’s awesome and thinks nothing of it. Maybe.
I really do like the line of reasoning that you presented! Thank you.
Thank you!!
My most popular post by far on this platform started with a sob story. 🤷 People interacted more than anything I'd ever written even though the point was that that story informs my writing. Still did the dishes though.
As I reflected on this, I wondered about the idea of permissible flaws. Some geniuses are lauded for their struggles (those you mentioned), but some geniuses are rejected outright despite their contributions due to some unforgivable flaw (cancel culture stuff). There’s a wiggly line that we need to reconcile.
A good reminder that you don’t need the glitz and the glamour, the triumphs and tribulations. Just consistently showing up for the work and yourself.