The line between creativity and madness is a fine one, neurologically, the same one, though hypothesized taking different forms of expression.
The news article was particularly vague as to what forms these might be, but they are concepts that are fairly well known throughout history. Modern and ancient times. This "new" study just found an actual neurological link.
Here's the most recent one (yay, I wasn't too lazy to look this one up this time). Which is an interesting distinction, because I actually believe that focus and discipline are generally required to attain the more 'productive' of the two. My own personal experience would say that creativity is more positive too, but people probably have varying experiences with madness. Highs and lows, as well as varying definitions of positive and negative experiences. After all, that could be a contradiction, a "negative experience." Experience itself being positive, but..uh, "Only the Sith deal in absolutes." lol
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ooh long comment is longpack1ifeMay 27 2009, 17:06:31 UTC
Just wanted to add, love the idea of the Icarus Project fellows. Sounds very proactive, see if it holds up. Getting people of such diverse pathologies together can be a bit like herding cats.
"pathologies" are sets of skills the modern world doesn't understand yetturilMay 28 2009, 00:59:00 UTC
I've been a fan of author Thom Hartmann, who was the first person I encountered who suggested that different personalities are simply evolution's way of making sure that each "tribe" has people with variety of interests and abilities, such as hunters ("ADHD" folks) to farmers (homebodies).
As for "herding" us cats. It's far better to teach people to be self-directed, and to form small groups that network together, than to try and organize them from a single authoritarian position. Being a preschool teacher taught me a lot about the effectiveness of such a small-group-networked organization when dealing with a very diverse range of personalities!
Re: "pathologies" are sets of skills the modern world doesn't understand yetpack1ifeMay 28 2009, 01:11:46 UTC
yes. the only problem I've had in this area is when certain smaller groups get too great a rush of their own power and sabotage the project to show it.
only happened once really. with one group. i thought i was just being paranoid. but recalling it later to others, i realized the unfair position they put me in. don't blame them though. we're all different people than we were then. or I'd like to hope so.
Yeah, I've come to the conclusion that everyone, no matter what eccentricities or extranormalcies (?) they have has a place in the world where they can contribute amazing things. It's just a matter of matching people's unique abilities and interests with the sorts of things that the world needs more of.
Making everyone feel welcome and wanted in the tribe that is our world would go a long way towards a more peaceful and productive planet, don't you think?
While that certainly sounds nice, illness does exist. Odds are it will never be something the world needs more of. The stages of progression of physical and mental illness can be subtle and undetectable, without any outward observable symptoms. Yet, in a way, symptomatic understanding is a superficial "band aid" method of addressing the problem. By learning the environmental, social, and cultural factors that create unhealthy mindsets, irreversible mental illnesses can be "nipped in the bud
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Comments 9
The news article was particularly vague as to what forms these might be, but they are concepts that are fairly well known throughout history. Modern and ancient times. This "new" study just found an actual neurological link.
Here's the most recent one (yay, I wasn't too lazy to look this one up this time). Which is an interesting distinction, because I actually believe that focus and discipline are generally required to attain the more 'productive' of the two. My own personal experience would say that creativity is more positive too, but people probably have varying experiences with madness. Highs and lows, as well as varying definitions of positive and negative experiences. After all, that could be a contradiction, a "negative experience." Experience itself being positive, but..uh, "Only the Sith deal in absolutes." lol ( ... )
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I know this because I work in film.
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As for "herding" us cats. It's far better to teach people to be self-directed, and to form small groups that network together, than to try and organize them from a single authoritarian position. Being a preschool teacher taught me a lot about the effectiveness of such a small-group-networked organization when dealing with a very diverse range of personalities!
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only happened once really. with one group. i thought i was just being paranoid. but recalling it later to others, i realized the unfair position they put me in. don't blame them though. we're all different people than we were then. or I'd like to hope so.
Reply
Making everyone feel welcome and wanted in the tribe that is our world would go a long way towards a more peaceful and productive planet, don't you think?
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