The hottest Creativity Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Art & Illustration Topics

Space to do whatever, Part II

Tech and Tea • 230 implied HN points • 15 Apr 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Creativity
  1. Creating space for creativity involves addressing foundational needs like rest, joy, and time for creation.
  2. Setting explicit schedules and boundaries can help carve out space for creativity, even within busy lifestyles.
  3. Understanding personal preferences for time of day for creativity, habits, and motivation is key to fostering a creative environment.

2804m above sea level

The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) • 79 implied HN points • 01 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. Discussing not-knowing can be uncomfortable, especially when there are too many people involved. It’s hard to have a deep conversation with large and diverse groups.
  2. Different people have different ways of dealing with not-knowing, which can lead to confusion and discomfort during discussions. Finding common ground is important.
  3. Preparing for discomfort in new experiences, like snowboarding, can help. Sometimes, facing unknowns can lead to unexpected enjoyment and learning.

Status Limbo | Theory No. 27

Working Theorys • 133 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. Status limbo is a state of ambiguity and uncertainty about your status.
  2. Entering status limbo can be voluntary or involuntary, each with its own challenges.
  3. To get status, you often have to give up status, which can lead to personal growth and exploration.

The Merlin Residency and Cloud Hidden, Whereabouts Who Cares?

The False Consensus Effect • 78 implied HN points • 02 Jul 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity
  1. The author reflects on the idea of professional artistic residencies and the freedom found in creating without the pressure of external judgment.
  2. The author expresses a desire to escape the societal demands and norms, yearning for a simpler, more authentic existence to create and live by their own terms.
  3. The author plans to disconnect from social media, prioritize personal creative pursuits, and embrace a quieter, more intentional lifestyle away from the noise of constant online updates.
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Steve Jobs, Rick Rubin and "taste"

SatPost by Trung Phan • 212 implied HN points • 06 May 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity
  1. Steve Jobs and Rick Rubin emphasize the importance of cultivating taste in creativity.
  2. Taste is personal - there is no right or wrong taste, but it's about discovering and trusting your own preferences.
  3. Having conviction in one's taste, blocking out external influences, and persevering are key to creating enduring work.

A decade of disappointments

Thoughts on Writing • 179 implied HN points • 24 Nov 21
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. The inspiration behind the Disappointments Diary stemmed from a reaction to the overwhelming positive messages on social media, highlighting the importance of addressing toxic positivity and embracing emotional realism.
  2. The Negative Path to Happiness, as advocated by authors like Oliver Burkeman, suggests that embracing uncertainty and insecurity can lead to a more lasting form of contentment than relying solely on positive thinking.
  3. Navigating the ups and downs of a creative project involves quixotic optimism, distribution challenges, and the contextual nature of optimism, especially in the realms of social media and politics.

#66 Talking to machines

Design Lobster • 239 implied HN points • 03 May 21
🪑 Design Creativity
  1. Interacting with technology often feels personal because our brains can't distinguish between machines and people, ascribing intentions and feelings to them.
  2. Designing interactions with software should aim to make it feel like dealing with a pleasant human, not a troublesome entity.
  3. The phenomenon of pareidolia is utilized in the automotive industry to make cars seem more desirable by intentionally creating angry faces in car designs.

My method to boost creativity

VS Blog • 7 HN points • 02 May 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Creativity
  1. Boost creativity by exposing yourself to diverse and novel stimuli while moving around, triggering new ideas and solutions.
  2. Enhance creativity by letting go of control during the process and allowing associative memory and thinking to make connections.
  3. Maximize the effectiveness of this creativity-boosting method by visiting new locations with abundant, diverse, and novel stimuli, and fleshing out multiple problems beforehand.

Letter to my 2023 self

Seeking Solutions • 19 implied HN points • 02 Jan 24
💼 Business Creativity
  1. Embrace offline time and creative processes away from screens and algorithms.
  2. Engage with services that celebrate individuality over commoditization.
  3. Work on things you strongly believe in, be your own harshest critic.

On the Art of Writing

Soaring Twenties • 224 implied HN points • 08 Mar 23
📚 Literature Creativity
  1. Writing should have substance and purpose, not just frivolous tricks.
  2. Writers should connect with their audience honestly and meaningfully.
  3. Authenticity and honesty in writing are essential for creating impactful work.

Coolest Folks I Discovered in 2023

polymathematics • 19 implied HN points • 31 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. Discovering brilliant people can lead to new insights and ideas. It's great to explore different perspectives from various experts.
  2. Connecting with creative individuals can enhance personal and professional growth. Engaging with their work may inspire your own projects.
  3. Building a diverse network brings unique opportunities. Meeting people with different skills and experiences can open doors for collaboration and innovation.

On Selective Pressure

Autoscriptorium • 39 implied HN points • 09 Feb 23
📚 Literature Creativity
  1. Selective pressure plays a crucial role in writing, balancing brevity with the desire to convey substantial thoughts worth sharing.
  2. Contemporary fiction faces the challenge of seamlessly integrating data and information into the narrative without interrupting the flow.
  3. The evolution of modern fiction and writing styles is influenced by various factors, such as trends, educational programs, and cultural contexts.

Mastering doing nothing

10x your mind • 59 implied HN points • 06 Oct 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Creativity
  1. Mastering 'doing nothing' is essential for achieving a balanced and productive mind. Taking time to be non-busy and still is crucial for creative thinking.
  2. Boredom and tech guilt are common issues faced by modern adults and children. Constantly turning to screens to avoid boredom can lead to a lack of satisfaction and meaningful accomplishments.
  3. Encouraging 'doing nothing' time, especially for children, can foster innovation and creativity. Allowing space for boredom and unstructured activities is vital in a world that values innovation over following instructions.

When Technology Disrupts Society, What Happens? Part 1

The Digital Anthropologist • 59 implied HN points • 19 Jan 23
🕹 Technology Creativity
  1. Revolutionary technologies throughout history have led to significant societal changes, impacting economic systems, politics, culture, and social structures.
  2. Current technology disruptions include challenges in political systems, creative fields, rule of law, economics, commerce, financial systems, and social structures.
  3. Despite the current turmoil caused by technological disruptions, history shows that after periods of turbulence, societies often enter a Golden Age of settling new norms and behaviors.

How to Find Your Voice

Neckar’s Notes • 105 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
🚌 Education Creativity
  1. When writing, be true to your unique voice to create engaging, magical content that resonates with readers.
  2. Identity crisis in writing can stem from trying to mimic others instead of embracing one's own style.
  3. To find your voice as a writer, avoid labeling yourself and simply write a lot, experimenting with different topics, forms, and influences.

Inside the process - The Philanthropist

On Looking • 99 implied HN points • 27 May 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity
  1. Collaborating early with illustrators can lead to discussions about the best use of illustrations for a project, sparking creative ideas.
  2. During the creation process, challenges and hesitations can arise, but sometimes, exploring different visual approaches can bring clarity and align with the content.
  3. Drawing and illustrating can often convey ideas and concepts that are challenging to put into words, relying on patience and trust to communicate effectively.

Paying the bills vs feeding your intellect

10x your mind • 39 implied HN points • 19 Jan 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Creativity
  1. Productivity pays the bills and is necessary during hand-to-mouth situations.
  2. Creativity feeds the intellect and brings excitement through unpredictability and surprises.
  3. Finding a balance between productivity and creativity is key to growth and success, embracing chaos and adopting frameworks can lead to habitual creativity paying the bills.

FLASHPOINTS #12: Are machines becoming more intelligent than us - and what does that even mean?

The Ruffian • 178 implied HN points • 17 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Creativity
  1. There is skepticism about how the term 'intelligence' is used in relation to AI and tech, with concerns about oversimplification.
  2. Discussions about the intelligence of machines should consider the complexity and different components of human intelligence.
  3. Machine learning models operate more as giant libraries of data, lacking the elegant reasoning and principle-based calibration present in human intelligence.

Office Hours

Story Club with George Saunders • 105 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
📚 Literature Creativity
  1. Differentiate between being 'sentimental' and being 'emotion-rich' in writing. Strive for genuine emotion in your work while avoiding unearned sentimentality.
  2. Your upbringing doesn't dictate the quality of your writing. Use your life experiences, no matter how 'normal,' to create impactful and powerful storytelling.
  3. Great writing comes from finding the sacred in everyday moments. Embrace the idea that every detail matters and has the potential for literary significance.

It takes a village to be a solitary genius

On Looking • 99 implied HN points • 13 May 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity
  1. Artistic work involves the joint activity of many people, contrary to the idea of a solitary genius navigating the art world alone.
  2. All art, including illustration, relies on conventions and collaborative efforts involving various actors like developers, engineers, illustrators, editors, and more.
  3. Aesthetics in art are tied to moral judgments, impacting the reception of artwork; illustrators also navigate aesthetic choices that can influence their commercial success.

The Long, Slow, Stupid, Fun Way | #259

Boundless by Paul Millerd • 101 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. Focus on the long game energy that drives you, even if it means taking a slower path.
  2. Consider the 'long, slow, stupid, fun' approach to work and life, prioritizing personal fulfillment over quick gains.
  3. Create a 'calm company' with good margins that prioritizes work-life balance and benefits both customers and employees.

Crowd Sourcing a Path Not Really

The False Consensus Effect • 39 implied HN points • 04 Dec 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity
  1. The author reflects on the challenges and temptations of going into business, balancing personal passions with financial pressures.
  2. The text discusses the idea of finding a balance between pursuing dreams, like owning a restaurant, and maintaining a sense of joy and fulfillment.
  3. There is an exploration of the impact of business on personal relationships and the potential loss of creativity and freedom when solely driven by profit.

My year of releasing differently

The Ideaspace • 39 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. Taking your time with ideas can make them stronger. It's okay to wait for an idea to develop fully before sharing it with others.
  2. Working with others can lead to amazing results. Collaboration often brings new perspectives and can amplify individual creativity.
  3. Releasing work should be about authenticity and connection, not just seeking approval. Finding the right way to share your ideas can create more meaningful engagement.

An Exercise...

Story Club with George Saunders • 49 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
📚 Literature Creativity
  1. Art can spark different emotions and reactions in people. It's not always about getting things perfect, but about creating a reaction.
  2. The process of finding intention in art can be seen as an experiment. Artists should think about how they want to proceed and the impact they want to make.
  3. Discussion and shared experiences are important in art. Engaging others can lead to deeper understanding and powerful conversations.

☕📱Let's Chat on Zoom; Talent vs. Endurance: Haruki Murakami and Leonard Cohen

Neckar’s Notes • 48 implied HN points • 21 Oct 24
📚 Literature Creativity
  1. Leonard Cohen's story teaches us that sharing and facing problems head-on can be more effective than retreating. He faced challenges by stepping up his creativity, which inspires others to act similarly.
  2. Murakami believes that success in writing requires more than just talent; focus and endurance are also essential. He emphasizes the need for a healthy body to support the mental demands of writing.
  3. Writing a novel is a lot of hard work, similar to manual labor. It takes a lot of energy and focus to create a complete story, which many people may not fully appreciate.

Why, actually, I am doing this

Sex and the State • 16 implied HN points • 13 Jun 25
📚 Literature Creativity
  1. Writing can be both enjoyable and challenging. It's great when it's easy, but sometimes it feels tough.
  2. A helpful way to deal with perfectionism is to just keep trying and not worry about making things perfect.
  3. Finding motivation and reasons to write is important, even if you feel pressure to produce something great.

sunday evening musings

bad cattitude • 95 implied HN points • 25 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Creativity
  1. AI presents a complex future - it may liberate or enslave humanity, enabling creativity or trapping us in repetitive cycles.
  2. Binary thinking about AI may limit us - we should consider broader possibilities beyond our current understanding.
  3. The future with AI will be an unpredictable and exciting journey - filled with promise, danger, aspiration, and frustration, much like a thrilling road trip.

Water is flowing down your arms; your feet are peeling a tangerine

Eternal Sunshine of the Stochastic Mind • 19 implied HN points • 05 Dec 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity
  1. Ballet resembles mathematics, providing a vocabulary of poses and movements like a formal structure in mathematics, enabling endless unique sequences to unfold.
  2. Ballet teaching often uses metaphorical cues to convey precise body positioning, making the basics challenging to teach and learn.
  3. Sensorial metaphors in ballet, like imagining water flowing down arms or peeling a tangerine with feet, enhance mind-body connection and expand awareness beyond just physical movement.

The small things

Random Minds by Katherine Brodsky • 42 implied HN points • 17 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. Small moments in life can really shape our mood and creativity. It's important to notice and appreciate these little things.
  2. Private experiences often influence what we feel inspired to write about. Writing can be deeply personal and connected to our feelings.
  3. Taking the time to reflect on our daily experiences can help us understand ourselves better. This can lead to richer and more meaningful writing.

Writing Hack: Retyping a Draft from Scratch

psychotechnology • 13 implied HN points • 04 Jul 25
📚 Literature Creativity
  1. When a draft feels rough or disconnected, try retyping it from scratch while looking at the original. This helps improve flow and makes the writing feel more alive.
  2. It’s important to retype even good sentences instead of copy-pasting. This approach helps you reconnect with the text's rhythm and find fresh insights.
  3. If a draft doesn't excite you, it might be better to abandon it. Not every piece needs to be salvaged, and it's okay to move on when something doesn’t resonate.

Think like a Plumber, not a CEO | LSW#58

The Leading Sapiens Weekly • 40 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24
💼 Business Creativity
  1. Knowledge work shouldn't just rely on inspiration or perfect conditions. Showing up consistently, like a plumber, leads to real progress.
  2. Instead of waiting for creativity to strike, focus on making a routine and setting clear goals. This structure helps reduce stress and improves productivity.
  3. It's important to value practice and effort over perfection. Producing more often can actually improve the quality of your work over time.

Rabbit Holes 🕳️ #99

Creative Destruction • 39 implied HN points • 27 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. Being collapse aware means recognizing that the way we live might be facing serious problems. Instead of waiting for things to get better, we should think about what comes next and how to adapt.
  2. The economy is now a major force shaping our planet, affecting everything from society to the environment. We need to understand this to create positive changes and live sustainably.
  3. We should shift our focus from just being productive to being creative. It's important to use technology to enhance our creativity and make meaningful contributions instead of just doing more work.

Todavía en España

The False Consensus Effect • 59 implied HN points • 20 Jun 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity
  1. The author reflects on their experience of being stranded in Spain due to COVID and expresses frustration with the government's handling of the situation.
  2. The author shares personal thoughts on anarchism and their disillusionment with nations, declaring themselves an "underground citizen of earth."
  3. The author discusses the power of creativity and freedom, highlighting the importance of art in resisting imprisonment and expressing individuality.

AI Invasion:

Eric Harper • 3 HN points • 13 Jun 24
🎶 Music Creativity
  1. AI is rapidly growing in the music industry, even capable of generating fully produced songs imitating popular singers.
  2. Creative individuals are concerned about the influence of AI on art and culture, as it may lead to generic, algorithm-driven content.
  3. While AI can enhance workflow and assist in creating music or art, maintaining the human element is crucial to preserving the essence and authenticity of creative work.