Creativity in an STS World

[FireShadow]

or "How can I create while realizing the horror of it all?"

Edit: Title has been changed from "Beadwork" as the discussion has evolved.

I design and make beaded micro macrame jewelry, but was unsure if it was appropriate to post a photo here as it is not related to any issues.  So I browsed the section and found some few threads that were "merely" creative.  I will take a chance and post one of my photos.  Please let me know if it is inappropriate.

An aside regarding my art.  Since finding SOTT, I have occasionally had some difficulties getting into making jewelry.  It seems so frivolous in light of everything else going on.  But, I do this for some of my income and so must continue.  Does anyone else have a similar problem?

Anyway, here is a pic:

_http://www.flickr.com/photos/knotgypsy/3038947645/

 

[psychegram]

Re: Beadwork

I've had a very similar problem. My thing is writing - science fiction, for the most part - but I've had a really tough time waking up the muse ever since I start really looking at the world. Most of my old preoccupations just seem like trivial, juvenile fantasies, now; all the underpinnings of the world view I took for granted for much of my life have been ripped away, leaving me with ... well, a lot to think about.

And yet ... if I let myself be paralyzed in that fashion, perhaps I'm conceding a victory to the Lords of Entropy? Letting them scare me into shutting down my creativity. Letting them win.

In the end I'm not sure what to tell you. Well, except for this: your jewelry is beautiful.

 

[Tigersoap]

Re: Beadwork

An aside regarding my art. Since finding SOTT, I have occasionally had some difficulties getting into making jewelry. It seems so frivolous in light of everything else going on. But, I do this for some of my income and so must continue. Does anyone else have a similar problem?

Sure, all the time.
Sometimes there is no "fire" at all and it drives me really mad (and that is just self-importance by the way.)

I can relate because it seems so absurd at time to make art in such a world but maybe that's the reason why you should keep doing it, because it is one thing that keeps you connected to something creative.
You are probably doing what you love doing best, so why the worry ?
In any case it beats any office job if you can earn a living with your skills.

I never know for sure if it's my negative introject, or because I see things as they really are that I suddenly doubt everything I have been doing with huge depressing moments where my false personality just loses bits of itself.
I think it's part of the growing process.

Since I discovered the Sott and Laura's work, it changed my perspective on my works and the way to do it forever (I am such in karmic debt, I owe you forever ;)).

There are maybe ways for you to connect all you know and learned so far and put it into your own works ?
So it does not always seem frivolous but has a deeper meaning ?
This should not make stop doing lighter stuff as well because it has probably a purpose as well.
Ok maybe it will be awkward, subjective and incomplete but it's a learning process osit.

Maybe you already know but have you checked Etsy.com ? I suppose you already have an e-store over there ;)

 

[bedower]

Re: Beadwork

I never know for sure if it's my negative introject, or because I see things as they really are that I suddenly doubt everything I have been doing with huge depressing moments where my false personality just loses bits of itself.
I think it's part of the growing process.

Since I discovered the Sott and Laura's work, it changed my perspective on my works and the way to do it forever (I am such in karmic debt, I owe you forever ).

If I may, I second that most heartily, Tigersoap.

Although I must confess to a couple of fleeting moments of chagrin.

 

[Gimpy]

Re: Beadwork

An aside regarding my art. Since finding SOTT, I have occasionally had some difficulties getting into making jewelry. It seems so frivolous in light of everything else going on. But, I do this for some of my income and so must continue. Does anyone else have a similar problem?

Yes. Prior to finding sott, I was working real hard on a number of art projects. All of it went into limbo in light of reading and other research.

I think part of the problem is integrating the new information. Artists in general are programmed to use creativity to make money, instead of just being creative for the joy in doing it. Then, in light of the Work, it all seems to be a waste of time. The programs for or against creativity of all kinds can get anyone down.


Balance is the key, osit.


You may find that your art evolves in fits and starts as the knowledge percolates through your life.


I think its a good thing. :)


Gimpy

 

[FireShadow]

Re: Beadwork

Thanks to all the comments.  In replying, I have gained a bit of insight and perhaps some ways to continue in my art.

For examples:

Most of my old preoccupations just seem like trivial, juvenile fantasies, now; all the underpinnings of the world view I took for granted for much of my life have been ripped away, leaving me with ... well, a lot to think about.

and

[quote author=Tigersoap]
I can relate because it seems so absurd at time to make art in such a world...I never know for sure if it's my negative introject, or because I see things as they really are that I suddenly doubt everything I have been doing with huge depressing moments where my false personality just loses bits of itself.
I think it's part of the growing process.
[/quote]

Yes, exactly.  These are my thoughts and feelings as well.

But:
[quote author=psychegram]
And yet ... if I let myself be paralyzed in that fashion, perhaps I'm conceding a victory to the Lords of Entropy? Letting them scare me into shutting down my creativity. Letting them win.
[/quote]

and

[quote author=Tigersoap]
...but maybe that's the reason why you should keep doing it, because it is one thing that keeps you connected to something creative.
[/quote]

These ideas are what keep me going.

[quote author=Tigersoap]
Sometimes there is no "fire" at all and it drives me really mad (and that is just self-importance by the way.)
[/quote]

Question:  Could you explain this?  I do not deny having plenty of self-importance and am able to recognize it in some of its forms...but I am not sure I understand how having no "fire" and feeling frustrated by it is a form of self-importance.

[quote author=Tigersoap]
You are probably doing what you love doing best, so why the worry ?
[/quote]

Why the worry?  Good question.  As I ponder, I detect an "I" that says "making jewelry is futile".  This suggests to me that this "I" has an agenda in making jewelry and that under current conditions (or my new knowledge of current conditions), this agenda cannot be fullfilled...which brings me to self-importance.  I think that maybe this "I" wants recognition, accolades, and material success.  Perhaps this answers my previous question...hmmm.

However, I do have other "I's" that just love to make jewelry.  I have been making jewelry for about 11 years, selling just enough to buy more supplies.  Only in the past 2 years have I been trying to turn it from hobby to business. 

I will be giving this some more thought and am thinking perhaps I can encourage the "I's" that just want to make jewelry and then see what I can do with the "I's" that want accolades...

[quote author=Tigersoap]
Since I discovered the Sott and Laura's work, it changed my perspective on my works and the way to do it forever (I am such in karmic debt, I owe you forever).

There are maybe ways for you to connect all you know and learned so far and put it into your own works ?
So it does not always seem frivolous but has a deeper meaning ?
This should not make stop doing lighter stuff as well because it has probably a purpose as well.
Ok maybe it will be awkward, subjective and incomplete but it's a learning process osit.

Maybe you already know but have you checked Etsy.com ? I suppose you already have an e-store over there.
[/quote]

I, too have a debt to SOTT. 

I have tried to think of ways to connect my knowledge to my art, but so far have not made much progress.  I do try to incorporate some STO attitudes (or my understanding of STO attitudes) into my business practices.  Beyond that, I am at a loss.

Deeper meaning?  So far, I am unsuccessful in finding deeper meaning, but perhaps the "lighter stuff" has its own purpose as I see expressed here.  Again, thanks for all the comments.

And, yes, I love Etsy - I have had a shop there for almost 2 years.  Yay Etsy!

[quote author=Gimpy]
I think part of the problem is integrating the new information. Artists in general are programmed to use creativity to make money, instead of just being creative for the joy in doing it. Then, in light of the Work, it all seems to be a waste of time. The programs for or against creativity of all kinds can get anyone down.
[/quote]

In an STS world, artists do have to worry about making money, don't they?  I do try to just make what I love, although survival and those pesky programs can really get in the way!


[quote author=psychegram]
In the end I'm not sure what to tell you. Well, except for this: your jewelry is beautiful.
[/quote]

Thank you.

Edit: Reading over this post, it occurs to me that I also have an "I" that feels "I should be doing more important things"...is this also more self-importance?

 

[bedower]

Re: Beadwork

Then, in light of the Work, it all seems to be a waste of time.

Perhaps not a waste of time, Gimpy, especially when the creative work can bring in some much-needed extra income. (To buy SOTT's recommended books perhaps, she writes piously...) Actually, there is nothing wrong with making money per se; we all need to feed and clothe our families, and if we can do this through a creative art that we love doing anyway, that's a bonus, osit.

Also, some creative work can can be relaxing and theraputic; e.g. for me it's knitting; my physical body is kept busy while my mind is left free to ponder. But I also stopped doing my most favourite creative activity as I was doing it at the time because of what I was reading on this forum and on the Cass site, especially in the 'Objectivity' articles and threads.

I think the problem is when creativity is used as a negative and destructive force, and I'm sure everyone can think of examples of that (Oppenheimer and his A-bomb, for one).

It would be a dreary world indeed, imo, if there were no positive creativity around.

 

[Laurelayn]

Re: Beadwork

I hope this isn't too far off topic, but it seems to fit for me.
I have always been artistic but grew up in an environment that was only supportive of "practical" things and was strongly discouraged from art of any kind.
Mother told me"You should be a nurse or a secretary, there are "starving artists" everywhere, you can never be good enough" but, I could not quench the impulse in myself to create beautiful things
I'll make the story short and go to my young adulthood. I went to college and took four years of cabinetmaking and furniture history classes and subsequently spent the whole of my adult life so far as a carpenter and cabinetmaker, which is an art as close as I could allow myself to get.
I was layed off in Jan. from my last cabinetmaking job and with no prospects here to continue that as an income (especially for an aging woman) I turned to gardening vocations, which is another skill involving artistic tendencies. now it is freezing and that is done until spring.
I have been getting more and more involved in the work over the last couple of years and I am feeling very despondent about the state of the world, you all know when you really start to discern and after a time you get a glimpse of how bad it truly is and for how long this has gone on. My point is that now I seem to be truly stuck, I have much difficulty concentrating on anything enough to finish any project and There is this very strong "defeatist I" that seems to get the better of me very frequently. I feel that the more I try to release the negativity and change the thought program, ie." remember " and get beyond it the "sleepier" I get.
Am I doing something wrong? I know that's a loaded question here, but, I asked it anyway

Quote from tigersoap

I can relate because it seems so absurd at time to make art in such a world but maybe that's the reason why you should keep doing it, because it is one thing that keeps you connected to something creative.
You are probably doing what you love doing best, so why the worry ?
In any case it beats any office job if you can earn a living with your skills.

I never know for sure if it's my negative interject, or because I see things as they really are that I suddenly doubt everything I have been doing with huge depressing moments where my false personality just loses bits of itself.
I think it's part of the growing process.

I am very much feeling that way, I have 27 different difficult things coming at me from every direction lately and I am feeling really overwhelmed.
Except when I am reading, I feel empowered when I am reading. Is that escapist? I am reading secret history right now and going back in the process to parts of the wave series but when I close the covers and walk away I wonder if I can really make any difference, can this work I am attempting to evolve myself through make any difference for those around me? sometimes it really seems STS to spend so much time on myself, unless I can really believe that my attempts at self enlightenment is really assisting others on the same path. and then theres the word "believe" were there another term that would convey what I feel without the fairytale overtones.
Sorry about hijacking this thread. I'll quit rambling on now.

Laurelayn

 

[FireShadow]

Re: Beadwork

I hope this isn't too far off topic, but it seems to fit for me.
I have always been artistic but grew up in an environment that was only supportive of "practical" things and was strongly discouraged from art of any kind.
Mother told me"You should be a nurse or a secretary, there are "starving artists" everywhere, you can never be good enough" but, I could not quench the impulse in myself to create beautiful things

Yes. I, too, was raised in a family that considered art to be impractical. My grandmother lived through the Great Depression and much of her attitudes were shaped by that experience. She raised me for several years (before my father re-married and took me back) and of course she raised my father also and he has many of her attitudes.

I think this is part of why I have thoughts of "I should be doing something more important" (or more practical). For a long time, I rebelled and did what I wanted anyway. I certainly have material ambitions, but they were never enough to make me do "whatever it takes" to be successful. Oh, I tried, but could not live in that world. This attitude is one of the reasons I now live in poverty. I have simplified my life and am actually quite happy with that. We do have the basics and the internet is one of our very few indulgences (or is it a necessity?).

However, my recent journey into the Work has triggered those old programs and now I doubt myself.

[quote author=Laurelayn]
I have been getting more and more involved in the work over the last couple of years and I am feeling very despondent about the state of the world, you all know when you really start to discern and after a time you get a glimpse of how bad it truly is and for how long this has gone on. My point is that now I seem to be truly stuck, I have much difficulty concentrating on anything enough to finish any project and There is this very strong "defeatist I" that seems to get the better of me very frequently. I feel that the more I try to release the negativity and change the thought program, ie." remember " and get beyond it the "sleepier" I get...

...Except when I am reading, I feel empowered when I am reading. Is that escapist? I am reading secret history right now and going back in the process to parts of the wave series but when I close the covers and walk away I wonder if I can really make any difference, can this work I am attempting to evolve myself through make any difference for those around me? sometimes it really seems STS to spend so much time on myself, unless I can really believe that my attempts at self enlightenment is really assisting others on the same path. and then theres the word "believe" were there another term that would convey what I feel without the fairytale overtones.
Sorry about hijacking this thread. I'll quit rambling on now.
[/quote]

I don't think you hijacked this thread. Much of what you wrote is relevant to me as well. I also feel more empowered when reading. Finding SOTT was like finding a treasure - a treasure of information. I have been reading voraciously and can't seem to stop. As for believing that working on myself is helpful to others, I can only say that I do think that is the only way out. If I work on myself, perhaps I can be a better person to those around me and pehaps that will be a seed for others to pick up and grow. If I don't work on myself, nothing changes. So, at least with working on myself, I stand a chance of betterment for myself and others. No guarantees, just a chance and that is more than I have if I do no work.

Is that STS? Well, I think that if I don't work on myself, I will have nothing to give.

[quote author=Bedower]
Also, some creative work can can be relaxing and theraputic; e.g. for me it's knitting; my physical body is kept busy while my mind is left free to ponder. But I also stopped doing my most favourite creative activity as I was doing it at the time because of what I was reading on this forum and on the Cass site, especially in the 'Objectivity' articles and threads.
[/quote]

Yes, creative work is relaxing and therapeutic for me as well. But, I am curious, what do you mean that you quit your favorite creativity as you were doing it? How were you doing it that you thought you needed to change? This may be a clue for me as well if you don't mind answering.

 

[bedower]

Re: Beadwork

But, I am curious, what do you mean that you quit your favorite creativity as you were doing it? How were you doing it that you thought you needed to change? This may be a clue for me as well if you don't mind answering.

Hi, FireShadow,

'As I was doing it at that time...' Well, it's no secret; I enjoyed scribbling about stuff like politics and religion, prose and poetry, (nothing worth publishing, I do assure you! ;D , and nothing approaching the calibre of Laura's works). Reading most of Laura's articles over at the Cass site, and the various threads here dealing with the Work, I came to see my scribbles not only as as self-important vanity, but also, in some articles, as misleading disinfo. Although I believed it to be true at the time. That's all there is to it, really. And, yes, I did find writing to be theraputic and cathartic, especially when it was about our dear leaders.

I am feeling very despondent about the state of the world, you all know when you really start to discern and after a time you get a glimpse of how bad it truly is and for how long this has gone on.

Hi, Laurelayn,

This is a very good state of mind to be in, osit, because it means you are 'waking up'. Many of us on this forum have had these same negative reactions to the present state of the world, according to various posts.

Have you read Laura's article here ?

'Depression as a Stepping Stone (to Soul Growth). It put things into perspective for me, and you will, I think, also find it helpful.

Can I ask which area of art you were most drawn to (i.e. drawing, painting, writing etc)? Can you not follow it up now, as a creative hobby?

 

[Oxajil]

Re: Beadwork

Hello Laurelayn,

Lately I have a hard time expressing myself and it feels like that my English is getting worse, however, I will try to be as understandable as possible.

This is what I think when reading your post:

I can relate to many things you wrote in this post. I also wanted to express my artistic tendencies, but in the end I chose, also because of what my parents wanted, to go another direction (like medicin), than Art school. But this choice was something I felt good at and the same time it satisfied my parents. It reminds me of Don Juan's "paths that have a heart". I made the choice with the thought that I could always express my artistic tendencies as a hobby. Have you did/tried the latter or do you really want to have a job as an artist? If so, then perhaps you could get started somehow?

The world is indeed getting darker and darker. And it seems hopeless. A lot of times I get emotional or angry when I read articles that are about very inhumane activities or when I read about lies, lies and more lies... But I try to use this anger and emotions as a drive to do the Work and to try to understand the world as it is. As Gurdjieff said; you can help others, if you first help yourself.
So I don't think you are doing anything wrong. I think these emotions or thoughts you have are just ''normal'', I think you should just give it some time and the more you read, the more you will understand and of course networking will also help. Or so I think.

My point is that now I seem to be truly stuck, I have much difficulty concentrating on anything enough to finish any project and There is this very strong "defeatist I" that seems to get the better of me very frequently. I feel that the more I try to release the negativity and change the thought program, ie." remember " and get beyond it the "sleepier" I get.

I also have difficulties with concentrating which goes paired with tiredness and other side-effects and a lot of projects are unfinished here as well!, so what I try to do to 'help myself' is (besides observing/doing the Work) trying to change what I eat and perhaps this will have a better effect on my body and spirit which will let me better to concentrate, be less tired and have more energy to try to Choose and not let the other ''negative'' I's choose for me. So perhaps this might work for you too?

I am very much feeling that way, I have 27 different difficult things coming at me from every direction lately and I am feeling really overwhelmed.
Except when I am reading, I feel empowered when I am reading. Is that escapist? I am reading secret history right now and going back in the process to parts of the wave series but when I close the covers and walk away I wonder if I can really make any difference, can this work I am attempting to evolve myself through make any difference for those around me? sometimes it really seems STS to spend so much time on myself, unless I can really believe that my attempts at self enlightenment is really assisting others on the same path. and then theres the word "believe" were there another term that would convey what I feel without the fairytale overtones.

Well, we are STS. But the difference might be, is that 'we' are trying to Do something. We are Working and we are trying to Understand the world around us. Trying to get a glimpse or the bigger picture of the awful truth that's hidden by so many lies and half-truths.
If we start with ourselves, if we Work on ourselves, then perhaps, we can try to inform others if they ask. And perhaps we might appear as ''teachers'' when others (''students'') are ready. And as teachers I don't mean, ego-ish, but just as people who share information with others. And all these thoughts we have about everything I think is just, as Tigersoap put it, part of a lesson or are lessons.

I also find this post from Laura interesting and a bit related to this, not sure if you have read it already:

http://www.cassiopaea.org/forum/index.php?topic=2014.msg11351#msg11351

Now, consider this a long time: "Life experiences reflect how one interacts with God."

A person living in poverty is directly expressing their interaction with God/Cosmos.

Period.

You cannot be truly spiritual and poor at the same time. It's that simple.

An authentically spiritual person cannot experience lack of any kind. And I'm not just talking about someone who has been so hypnotized that they think a robe and a begging bowl is all there is to life, either.

The word "spiritual" is derived from the Latin root "spiritus" which means to be spirited, full of life, alive, animated, ENERGETIC.

A truly spiritual person is RICH in every sense. He thinks rich thoughts, he has rich feelings, rich sensations, rich emotions, rich relationships of every kind. His entire attitude emanates wealth of ENERGY.

The truly spiritual person lives RICHLY in everything he does.

And don't misunderstand and think I'm talking about obscene amounts of money piled up in a bank, rolls royces or private jets here.

What I DO mean is having the means to meet ones needs - ESPECIALLY those needs that relate to being able to pass the energy through one's life to others, to be of service, to be a "good and well-paid workman" for the Cosmos.

The truly spiritual person is a person of plenty... a competent "debugger of the universe".

Look around you and consider the tremendous, unending creativity of Nature: flowers, trees, grass, plants, forests, animals, people, rain, sun, moon, planets, stars, galaxies.

Nature is infinitely and endlessly prolific. It is the involuntary and effortless nature of Nature to constantly and abundantly create and give of itself to ALL. This activity never stops for an instant. From a single acorn grows a majestic oak, from a single cell comes the complex and fantastic human body.

This is Nature at work.

CREATIVE work.

WORK.

Behind the visible Nature is the invisible nature of spirit guidng, prodding, compelling Nature to express itself in myriad designs, forms and patterns.

This is CONSCIOUSNESS. INTELLIGENCE. KNOWLEDGE.

Perceiving the world this way makes all of Life one creative encounter after another. No other vision is valid. No other experience is authentic.

Life is Universal Creativity at work everywhere at the same time. The Universe constantly reproduces itself, a new self, over and over again.

There is Invisible intelligence everywhere in the Universe that knows how to make every living thing. It possesses the power - the ENERGY - and the KNOWLEDGE to impress in Nature the living forms of all things.

Nature is infinitely creative and prolific because SUBSTANCE is everywhere. There is nowhere it is not. Substance is universal also. The Universe is opulent and affluent. Infinitely perfect substance is eternally available.

The source of all supply is the same principle that creates the Universe - consciousness, intelligence, knowledge.

The true nature of the spiritual being is the same nature as that of the Universe - infinite creativity and everlasting substance.

[...]

Don't be afraid to experiment, gamble with ideas, test ideas and concepts, try new things, invent new products or services. Using the law of averages, if you try enough things, expose what you do to enough people, eventually you will succeed. Each time you fail in something, you learn what NOT to do and this means you are getting closer to having the KNOWLEDGE of what works. You can then apply this knowledge to generate "energy" in the form of money.

Live always in a state of pure possibility. "Impossible" is not an option.

And this post from Ark, from his website:

So, I think that Reality is multi-faceted and multi-leveled and we are consciously experiencing only one (or a few) of the existing levels and/or facets. The multi-leveled and multi-faceted Realit includes: many worlds, many realms, parallel and perpendicular universes, higher dimensions, higher levels of intelligence and of perception, and very likely a consciousness of which we cannot even conceive.

Some of these concepts have already been integrated into theoretical physics (many worlds, parallel universes, higher dimensions), and can be studied - at least theoretically - with mathematical rigor; while those dealing with mind, consciousness, intelligence, are yet to be integrated. Once that is done, once we admit and realize that that material existence is not all that can be thought of and dealt with using mathematical rigor - new vistas, new hopes and new goals will appear on the horizon. And by doing this, WE will take charge of the evolutionary development of life. BY doing this we will choose to obey our own call from the future. By doing this we will make real what is now only virtual.

I believe that the Universe has Purpose, that it is much like a computer program of great complexity, and that "we" - the IGUS-es - have a role in its evolution. For a while our role can be described simply as "debugging units." In short, my present answer to the question "why are we here?" reads: DEBUGGING THE UNIVERSE.

Universes without life, without feedback from the "observers" have only virtual existence, their future is closed; while "our" future, as well as the future of "our universe," is in my opinion, to large extent, OPEN.

The question of existence of other forms of life is, in particular, one of these tricky questions whose answers are "open". YOU, the Reader, can choose to live in a universe with a "no" answer, but you can also choose to live in a "yes" universe.

I am not saying the choice is going to be easy, or possible at all. Every choice needs an effort. The more important the choice, the more effort it needs. Without making this effort we are simply machines, and then the choices are being made for us - either by pure chance or by others.

These quotes might make you understand better how what you are doing, by doing the Work, may effect 'us' or the 'Universe'.

 

[bedower]

Re: Beadwork

Er... Just a suggestion.

FireShadow, I've been thinking about the important questions you raise in your post and the title you gave this thread. There have been some very profound and Work relevant comments here, imo. What occurs to me is that some of our guy forumites might consider 'Beadwork' to be a bit of a 'girly' theme for their tastes, and not bother to open what has developed into a very interesting thread, thereby missing out on the true theme of your post which is creative activity and the Work, and how being aware of the Work has affected our individual creativity.

Would you consider changing the name of this thread to something that transcends gender, thereby inviting the boys in to play as well?

Feel free to tell me to take a running jump, if you like. :)

 

[FireShadow]

Re: Beadwork

Er... Just a suggestion.

FireShadow, I've been thinking about the important questions you raise in your post and the title you gave this thread. There have been some very profound and Work relevant comments here, imo. What occurs to me is that some of our guy forumites might consider 'Beadwork' to be a bit of a 'girly' theme for their tastes, and not bother to open what has developed into a very interesting thread, thereby missing out on the true theme of your post which is creative activity and the Work, and how being aware of the Work has affected our individual creativity.

Would you consider changing the name of this thread to something that transcends gender, thereby inviting the boys in to play as well?

Feel free to tell me to take a running jump, if you like. :)

Not at all. When I first posted this, I had no idea it would evolve as such. But, I agree with you, as I am already benefiting from this discussion in terms of exploring some of my issues and attitudes. And, yes, a lot of the "guy" forumites (male and female) may overlook it as being too "girly".

What about "Creativity in an STS world", or do you have a better suggestion? And, does it need to get moved to the section on the work?

 

[anart]

Re: Art and Creativity while realizing the Horror of the situation

Er... Just a suggestion.

FireShadow, I've been thinking about the important questions you raise in your post and the title you gave this thread. There have been some very profound and Work relevant comments here, imo. What occurs to me is that some of our guy forumites might consider 'Beadwork' to be a bit of a 'girly' theme for their tastes, and not bother to open what has developed into a very interesting thread, thereby missing out on the true theme of your post which is creative activity and the Work, and how being aware of the Work has affected our individual creativity.

Would you consider changing the name of this thread to something that transcends gender, thereby inviting the boys in to play as well?

Well, from an indentification standpoint, if anyone would choose to not read a thread because it was too 'girly' or, on the contrary, too 'manly' for them, then that's their loss isn't it? Another point would be that I didn't even know what 'beadwork' was - although a guy might, so it seems some gender stereotypes might be coming into play here - that identification is an amazing thing.

With that said, it's simple enough to change the thread title - just edit the message and type what you'd like in the subject line. I've given an example with this message.

 

[FireShadow]

Re: Art and Creativity while realizing the Horror of the situation

[quote author=anart ]

Well, from an indentification standpoint, if anyone would choose to not read a thread because it was too 'girly' or, on the contrary, too 'manly' for them, then that's their loss isn't it?  Another point would be that I didn't even know what 'beadwork' was - although a guy might, so it seems some gender stereotypes might be coming into play here - that identification is an amazing thing.
[/quote]

True.  You can really miss out when you pass over something because it may be too "girly" or "manly", etc. 

[quote author=anart]

With that said, it's simple enough to change the thread title - just edit the message and type what you'd like in the subject line.  I've given an example with this message.
[/quote]

Thank you for this tip and since this thread has evolved into more of a discussion of "Art and Creativity while realizing the Horror of the situation", I think a change of title is in order.