Board Thread:General Wiki Discussion/@comment-4050367-20150830045458

Hey guys. It's Sci here. Now you may be wondering: why is Sci talking about Creativity? Well it's because of something called A Work in Progress. It's a memoir written by Connor Franta. Now, who the hell is Connor Franta? Well like his book says:

"CONNOR FRANTA is an internet sensation and global trendsetter with millions of followers on YouTube and many other social media platforms (Sci100 included)."

Anyway, I recently got his book (as in within the last four hours) as part of an early birthday gift (September 5th, I'll make a blog about it. Start planning gifts, cause it's my last birthday on here ever. Ha ha.... MEMORIES). As I was saying, I've been reading his book, and I came across this awesome chapter called Creativity. I thought it was one of the best things I've ever read, and this is where you find out that I've decieved you. I'm not the one talking to you about Creativity. In fact, Connor is. In fact, I'm going to copy and paste a good portion of his chapter. Not all of it, but a good amount. I think it's worth sharing with you guys, so forgive me for making you read all of this, but I swear it's worth it.

''Also, as I am borrowing directly from the book and not editing his words in any way, consider this a TV-14 thread. I apologize for any words you may see, but again, I'm merely quoting. ''

HANDS UP IF YOU'RE CREATIVE. (I'm now visualizing a room filled with hands reachign up to the ceiling.)

Now keep your arm raised if you feel that you're able to freely pursue that creativity. (My mind's eye sees a few arms lower in disappointment.)

Okay. For those of you reaching skyward, how many feel brave enough to show your creative side and put it out there without first nervously running it by friends or family?

I suspect most of you are sitting on your hands, thinking ''Nope. I'm out. Not me''.

I would have been one of those kids sitting on my hands a few years ago. I love to create. I love creating concepts and content, starting from nothing. Heck, I love to create my breakfast in the morning (a work of art in itself!). But during my school years, I felt discouraged. It's not cool to be artsy by general teenage boy standards, and that intimidated me, so I pushed my creativity away. I wanted to be in, not out.

By being creative, you have to be okay with putting your owkr out there for public scrutiny. Whether you're painting, acting in a school play, screenign a short film you created in film class, it's scary to stand out and be vulnerable. What if you're criticized for doing what you're doing. That's even more terrifying.

Now, before I go any further, I know not everyone is interested in the arts, and that's totally okay. Whether your passion leads you to be a janitor, nurse, fitness instructor, artist, or athlete later in life, my message is broad: wholeheartedly pursue your passions. Do the things you love and love the things you do.

From recent conversations I've had on the topic, having your creativity stifled at a young age appears to be the sad truth for a lot of people. Sure, I was encouraged to pratice the arts at a young age, but as I got older, I felt a distinct pressure to follow the path of a more practical career. It seems some of our imaginative peers suppress their artistic instincts out of fear of being judged, alienated, or just plain not good enough. In other cases, a parent, teacher, or friend has been dismissive about creative ambitions. Don't let that suffocate your vision. More often than not, people won't share your vision or hunger, but that's all right. Ambitions are individual. Art is subjective. Creativity often leads to the solo pursuit of a dream until you find like-minded people who get it. Who get you.

I'm talking here to every budding writer, poet, singer/songwriter, musician, actor, entertainer, dancer, sculptor, director, photographer, circus act, trapeze artist, ple dancer, whatever! We live in a world where the importance of stability is drilled into us from an early age. If it's not explicitly stated, then it is seen in the way most of our parents, other elders, or authority figures live their lives: cautiously, pragmatically, and sensibly.

There is nothing certain about even contemplating a career rooted in your creative dream, whatever that may be. The potential risk of failure screams its warning from far away, which is why those with experience feel it is necessary to tell us to find "proper jobs" - the kind that pay well and guarantee long-term security. "Be a laywer, doctor, or a teacher" they say. But there is one thing they can't hear: the silent beat of creativity within you - that calling beckoning you to trust your gut, follow your heart, and do what your soul demands. You can never articulate to others what you feel in your bones because you rarely understand it yourself. Do you know how many times I get a bomb-ass idea but can't explain it to anyone? All. The. Time. They can't see it, but I can - and that's all that matters. They will see it when I bring my idea to life.

If you are one of those people - if you hear that calling - that is the ONLY thing you should listen to, be it a one-time project you yearn to do or a career you know you must pursue. Never deny yourself the opporunity for self-expression, in any form.

Don't underestimate the power of self-belief.

Don't be limited by the expectations of others.

Don't care what anybody else thinks.

"But what's the point of trying? I'm just going to fail", someone once said to me. And my response was simple: "So what? Who cares? If you fail, you fail. Big deal". Success involves failing first. Ask any successful person. Ask any experienced person, really. It's all part of the creative process, so sit back and allow the artist within you to sprout, blossom, and flourish. You must accept that your first, second, and third attempt at something might suck. It's a necessary step in improving your skill. Failure is your teacher, not your judge.

Like any other good thing, it takes time, and you'll just have to wait it out. All you have to know is why you've done something and like it, without seeking the validation or approval of others. If you think it's unique, that's all that should really matter. Create first and foremost for yourself, no one else.

(skipping a brief story - Sci)

My best friend, Troye, once told me: "If you wanna make cool shit, you gotta make cool shit", and it's engraved on my mind.

My creative process starts with an idea. I can't tell you for certain where it comes from. Ideas come to me in the shower, on airplanes, while I'm sitting in a restaurant, or lying in bed awake at 3:00 a.m., when my mind just can't seem to shut off. I it won't leave me alone, I begin expanding on it with notes. I think it all the way through, adding bullet points and examples. Then I just do it.

They don't always work, and I'm okay with that. But when something does work out, I immediately show it to one of my closest friends to get feedback. I encourage critiques because I want it to be perfect before I put it out to the world. Once I made all the suggested changes I agree with, I show everyone and soak up the positive remarks - and ignore the few hateful comments.

Ugh, I'm shaking a bit from pure excitment just typing about it. The experience is like no other for me.

What gives you that feeling? Everything has something. Whatever it is, I can't encourage you enough to do that thing as soon - and as frequently - as possible. In life, you need to allow yourself the room to do what you want with the precious time you're given. Give yourself permission. I'm still young, but I often find myself thinking, "Ah! My time is ticking away! Why am I just sitting here, doing nothing?" I need to use the time I have, while I have it. After clearing that hurdle, you then have to actually do it, which is way more difficult then you might think. It's not easy breaking down barrriers and not giving a single fuck about the opinions of others. Those opinions shouldn't inhibit your drive. Allow yourself to go there and add your splash of color to the world.

So, I'll ask you again. Hands up if you want to be creative, take the risk, and embrace failure. I hope all your hands are in the air now.

I hope you guys enjoyed reading that, and I hope you feel inspired by it. Leave your comments below on what you thought. Check out Connor's channel as I linked above, and please forgive me for posting not only the majority of a chapter, but posting a chapter with a few words in it. I felt the best version of it to show you guys was the original one in which I didn't change his words, and I think it's best this way. Anyways, thanks for reading, and have a good day.  