Creativity

I sat down tonight with my nieces and nephews to watch some television. They had been watching this cartoon that was typical for this day in age. Very Blues Clues/Dora the Explorer where the characters were very interactive with the viewer. The kids were transfixed by it. There was a break in the action for them to eat cookies. I started searching for a movie to put on for them. The youngest one asked to see Mickey Mouse, which was quickly rejected by the older two. I started looking for kid movies, trying to find something to help my parents get them asleep. As I was scrolling through the choices, I came upon Fantasia 2000. The presence of Mickey Mouse in the movie and my desire to satisfy the youngest (who I have some simpatico with) made me elect to purchase the movie.

As the movie started it became painfully apparent to the older two that the movie had no dialogue. They were initially horrified. They couldn't even comprehend the concept. Then they started watching and listening. I kept pointing out to them that needed to listen to the music and let their imaginations create the story, rather than have someone explain it to them. The youngest was clearly amazed by it. The other two struggled with it. The mechanics of their typical television watching were all because they are just have become accustomed to simply understanding things, as opposed to creating things.  I know all these new shoes have demonstrated helping kids learn but I feel as though there is no imagination left in any of them.  All they do is spoon feed things to kids because the producers have discovered the best ways to keep kids entranced.  And I do think we are moving further and further away from creativity.  And at a minimum people are less appreciative of beauty because we are almost moving too close to that scientific, empirical way of thinking where we constantly need an explanation.  

Perhaps its the circle I run in now that is making me feel like creativity and the artistic side of life is slipping away, especially in New York.  I am surrounded by people who are essentially fascinated by money and success (the two being very closely related).  Its the least "bohemian" world you can actually live in because people have one measure- "wealth".  Quality of life and happiness are secondary because the moment you accumulate wealth.  You must necessarily be happy.  As time progresses I realize money is important but in reality, the volume of work I do is unsustainable if I ever want to be happy, no matter how much money I make.  And the goal of lots of money seems to be the wrong goal because these people that accumulate enormous wealth usually do so by doing something they love and money is secondary.  It seems like it doesn't take that much to be happy, unless you are consumed by having everything. 

I think I would prefer to do something more creative.  Even if it involves running a business because at least then I am creating something.  I envy those who are writers and actually make a living at it.  It is a remarkable thing and must be so satisfying when you actually get to write about something that you love.  I know I am probably speaking about a negligible portion of the world but I would give anything to be in that world.  A successful bohemian artist, whether it be a writer, a painter, a photographer or anyone of those many things that are not as cold as my profession.   Perhaps this is why I am so fascinated with Williamsburg and the people who call certain parts of Brooklyn home.   In this world where money seems to dictate so much, they made a world in this run down, industrial area that is so much more authentic than half the places in Manhattan now.