The hottest Creativity Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Art & Illustration Topics

Missing a Muse? Start Walking.

Litverse • 279 implied HN points • 08 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Creativity
  1. Sitting for long periods can have negative effects on the body and mind, such as thinning brain regions, neck stress, disc degeneration, muscle deterioration, and higher fall risk.
  2. Walking can significantly boost creativity by 81%, improve mood, and trigger divergent thinking by helping ideas flow freely.
  3. Authors like Charles Dickens, Nietzsche, and Wordsworth have long praised the benefits of walking for happiness, health, valuable thoughts, and inspiration.

A Roundup (April 2024)

polymathematics • 59 implied HN points • 08 May 24
🎙 Podcasts Creativity
  1. Podcasts can offer great insights. Listening to interviews with authors, directors, and creative professionals can inspire new ideas and spark interesting conversations.
  2. Reading different types of content helps us understand complex topics. Exploring articles about technology and history can give us new perspectives on current issues.
  3. Sharing personal projects and tools can be motivating. It's fun to discover new ways to express creativity and reflect on personal achievements.

When it's going badly...

Development Hell • 276 implied HN points • 07 Mar 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity
  1. Being a writer can have moments of self-doubt and feeling like a disaster, especially when facing a project that seems to have gone terribly wrong.
  2. Writers can be extremely hard on themselves, often internalizing problems with their work as personal failings.
  3. Despite the challenges and self-doubt, subscribing to platforms like Development Hell can provide insights and support in navigating screenwriting catastrophes.
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Genre Grapevine on Machine Learning’s Problem with Bad Stories and Bad Intentions

Genre Grapevine • 176 implied HN points • 29 Dec 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity
  1. Bad stories can inspire writers to improve their own writing by learning from the mistakes of others.
  2. Artists and writers have pushed back against AI dominance by engaging in strikes and filing lawsuits to protect their work from being used without permission.
  3. Machine learning programs face challenges in creating truly innovative and original art, as they often get stuck in a cycle of reproducing popular styles and lacking true imagination.

Let me eat and not be eaten

Austin Kleon • 1179 implied HN points • 03 Jun 22
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. Bicycles can inspire creativity and bring joy to life. Riding a bike is not just exercise; it can be a fun way to explore new ideas.
  2. Reading comics can be both entertaining and educational. They offer a unique way to learn about complex topics.
  3. Graduation is a big milestone, and it comes with new opportunities. It's important to embrace change and stay open to new experiences.

Defining groupcore

The Ideaspace • 35 implied HN points • 20 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. Groupcore is all about people working together in different spaces, both online and offline. It helps creative individuals collaborate while keeping their freedom and sharing the work.
  2. Groupcore projects are flexible and interconnected, focusing on collective outcomes rather than strict hierarchies. This means everyone can contribute and share ideas freely.
  3. For groupcore to work well, it's important to have a common goal, clear responsibilities, and good communication among members. This creates a supportive environment for everyone involved.

Kolrami and Social Media.

The Good Life • 235 implied HN points • 04 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. Playing for fun and balance, not just to win, can be a powerful strategy.
  2. Consider using social media platforms in a way that goes against the typical approach, focusing on genuine enjoyment rather than audience growth.
  3. By being authentic and unconcerned with building an audience, it's possible to navigate social media algorithms in a more fulfilling manner.

some honest words about the batcave wherein i try hard to make less jokes than normal

Both Are True • 130 implied HN points • 14 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. It's normal to struggle with sharing ideas and being open about what you want to do. Everyone finds it hard sometimes.
  2. Building a community where people can write and connect is important, and it can be really special when done together.
  3. Even if asking for help feels tough, it shows that what you're doing has value and can lead to a rewarding experience for everyone.

Two reflections on AI

De Pony Sum • 255 implied HN points • 16 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Creativity
  1. Recent developments in AI, like language models, have surprised many with their capabilities and impact.
  2. There is a need for curiosity and humility when engaging with new AI technologies.
  3. Advancements in language models, such as using LATS, show promising improvements and future potentials.

i'm probably wrong (and that's okay maybe good even???)

Both Are True • 96 implied HN points • 18 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. It's okay to be wrong; in fact, it can be liberating. Embracing the possibility of being wrong helps you avoid the stress of always needing to be right.
  2. Being wrong doesn't mean you're less; it can lead to personal growth and new insights. Many people fear being wrong, but it's actually a chance to learn.
  3. Join a supportive community like Batwrite to share ideas and work creatively without pressure. It's a fun way to get things done and connect with others.

Fresh

ASK MOLLY • 255 implied HN points • 08 Apr 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity
  1. Spring is a time for new beginnings and growth.
  2. Don't let others bring you down, stay resilient and strong.
  3. Embrace your uniqueness and shine bright like a prime number.

Homework every night for the rest of your life

Austin Kleon • 1139 implied HN points • 13 May 22
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. Being a writer means doing homework every night, but that's not always a bad thing. It keeps you engaged and always learning.
  2. Reading and recommending books isn't just about single titles; it's more about seeing how they connect. Understanding these connections can enhance your reading experience.
  3. Having hobbies, like gardening or walking, can bring joy and creativity to your life. They can also inspire your work in surprising ways.

Dispatch from Sundance

Chance Operations • 158 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity
  1. The documentary 'Eno' premiered at Sundance to sold-out audiences and sparked discussions about the future of technology and film.
  2. The film 'Eno' is created using generative software, resulting in a unique viewing experience every time it's shown.
  3. There has been significant press coverage and excitement surrounding the film 'Eno' and its innovative approach to filmmaking.

#132 Designing to surprise

Design Lobster • 299 implied HN points • 01 May 23
🪑 Design Creativity
  1. Balance familiarity and surprise in design to create a pleasant and exciting user experience.
  2. Introduce whimsical elements to add surprise and creativity to your design.
  3. Strive to strike a balance between novelty and familiarity in your designs, following the MAYA principle.

Date stamps

Austin Kleon • 1578 implied HN points • 09 Nov 21
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. Date stamps are still useful in many jobs today, even if they seem old-fashioned. You can find them easily at office supply stores.
  2. Kids enjoy using date stamps on their drawings. It's a fun way to encourage them to write or keep track of their work.
  3. If you get a date stamp that's running out of years, you can sometimes fix it. Cutting off some numbers with a knife can help you get more use out of it.

A lake that's on fire

The Day After Tomorrow • 79 implied HN points • 20 Apr 24
🎶 Music Creativity
  1. AI can now create music by using poems and other inputs, making it easier for people without musical skills to share their creativity.
  2. This technology challenges our ideas about who can be a musician and what music truly means, as machines can produce similar emotional experiences as humans.
  3. As AI music becomes more common, we may need to rethink how we value music and the connections we feel to it, regardless of whether it's made by humans or machines.

Foreskin’s Comment

escape the algorithm • 239 implied HN points • 01 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. Rituals are significant online; a user on Youtube demonstrated a unique and meaningful daily commenting ritual that garnered community engagement.
  2. Repetition in rituals builds grounding in life, from daily habits to practices that span generations, connecting to nature's rhythms and the passage of time.
  3. Rituals in online spaces like daily commenting on a video can foster community, resist typical online norms, and access a sense of the sacred through unique, repeated actions.

The long and winding road

Thoughts on Writing • 159 implied HN points • 22 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. Author Nick Asbury is releasing a book called 'The Road to Hell' in March/April 2024, critiquing the concept of corporate purpose and advocating for human creativity.
  2. The book argues that the pursuit of corporate purpose led to poor marketing strategies and negative social outcomes.
  3. Asbury's work emphasizes the importance of valuing human creativity and cognitive empathy over corporate interests when it comes to business practices.

3 Tests AGI Must Pass

Insight Axis • 237 implied HN points • 27 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Creativity
  1. Computers must excel at calculations to form the foundation for any further intelligence programming.
  2. After calculation, computers need to progress to reasoning - the ability to evaluate information and use it to make value-based decisions.
  3. The ultimate test for artificial intelligence is creativity - the capability to acknowledge rules but break them intuitively to create something new.

On Imagination

Castalia • 239 implied HN points • 20 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. Imagination can be like a muscle that anyone can develop, regardless of when they start. It's not just for kids; even adults can tap into their creativity with practice.
  2. Many people carry the imaginative play from their childhood well into adulthood, often using it in unexpected ways. This can lead to a richer and more enjoyable life experience.
  3. Imagination is a tool for understanding the world and storytelling, but our culture often undervalues it. We can still push our minds towards creativity, which can help us see things differently.

Are Video Games Art?

coldhealing • 235 implied HN points • 20 Mar 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity
  1. Video games can be considered art if they evoke emotions in the player
  2. Interactivity sets video games apart, but not all games reach the level of art
  3. Different types of video games offer unique artistic value, from fantasy fulfillment to creative expression

Thinking on the page

Austin Kleon • 1278 implied HN points • 08 Feb 22
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. Writing and drawing help to develop ideas, rather than just expressing them. Sometimes you need to start making marks to discover what you really think.
  2. Thinking is a back-and-forth process between your mind and your materials. What you draw or write can lead to new thoughts and connections.
  3. It's important to externalize your ideas on paper. By getting them out of your head, you can see patterns and create new insights more easily.

How to do things with style

On Looking • 199 implied HN points • 11 Nov 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity
  1. Style has always been a critical aspect of the creative industry, influencing how artists are perceived, hired, and valued.
  2. Historically, debates around copyright, art, and market trends have shaped the concept of style and its significance in creative work.
  3. In today's context, the value of style is shifting towards more internal, unique concepts like vision and voice, as illustrators adapt to technological advancements and changing market dynamics.

making things is hard

bookbear express • 875 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity
  1. Making things is hard and consistency is key. Practice constantly, read, and stay interested in topics you love.
  2. Accept that the creative process is challenging, but that's a good thing. Embrace the difficulties and keep pushing forward.
  3. Being stuck in the middle of a project is a natural part of the process. Learn to appreciate and navigate this phase to succeed in creating.

Thank you, and remember, the universe is in your basement

Both Are True • 298 implied HN points • 21 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. David Lynch believes everyone has creativity and happiness inside them. It's okay to be positive and embrace the good in life.
  2. Cinema can express emotions and experiences that are hard to put into words. It connects with our feelings in a unique way.
  3. It's important to just create and share your work, instead of always explaining why you're doing it. The act of creating speaks for itself.

Generative AI, Bullshit as a Service

The Algorithmic Bridge • 891 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Creativity
  1. Generative AI technology is often used for negative purposes like spamming, cheating, and faking.
  2. The democratization of creative freedom through AI may not be beneficial as it can lead to misuse by those who don't truly value it.
  3. Despite the potential of AI to revolutionize the world, its primary current use is for mundane and simplistic tasks, highlighting the complexities and limitations of humanity.

The Work of Writer's Block

Oliver Bateman Does the Work • 137 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
📚 Literature Creativity
  1. Originality in writing is becoming harder to achieve due to the influence of social media and its bite-sized content.
  2. The internet's focus on short content like tweets and Instagram captions is overshadowing the expansive thought celebrated in literature and journalism.
  3. Reading numerous Twitter posts can lead to writer's block, highlighting the creative challenges posed by the social media landscape.

This isn't what I wanted to write

Both Are True • 282 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
📚 Literature Creativity
  1. It's okay to feel unsure and doubt your writing. Everyone goes through that, and it's part of the creative process.
  2. There isn't a perfect way to express your thoughts. What matters is that you share your feelings and ideas, even if they aren't flawless.
  3. Taking action, like writing something, is better than doing nothing. Every piece of writing contributes to your growth.

5 books on images, the people who make them, and the people they make

On Looking • 159 implied HN points • 09 Dec 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity
  1. Reading is an important skill for illustrators, helping them develop a deeper understanding of their work and the cultural systems in which it is embedded
  2. Books on creativity and image making provide insights into larger social narratives and systems, shifting the focus from individual success to broader contexts
  3. Exploring the history and processes behind image creation through books can enhance critical thinking and appreciation for the creative industry