From the Editor: Like Jekyll and Hyde, one of our resident creativity experts Stefan Mumaw is at battle with his dark side, Dr. Cattier Ivy, whose life mission is to suck the creativity out of pursuits and to replace it with mediocrity and normalcy. In this manifesto of sorts, the killers of creativity are outlined in this dark attempt to rid creative thought from society. Don’t fret though: we’ve also convinced Mumaw’s better half to divulge exercises to resuscitate creativity if you’ve fallen victim to the very “normalcy” Dr. Cattier Ivy prescribes.
My name is Dr. Cattier Ivy, and I am evil incarnate. I am a scientist, an observer and an ancient evil overlord brought back to life to rid you of the festering mire of novel ideas. I have theorized openly that the decay of mankind can be attributed to one pursuit and one pursuit alone: Creativity.
The wretchedness of society can be pointed to this ever-growing need to innovate, expand and conceive. Creativity is a virus, infecting the masses like a disease of the heart. It’s within mediocrity one can find the comfort of knowing nothing will change. There is no failure in its warm embrace.
I have summarized my findings in “The Comprehensive Instructions for Normalcy.” These mandates were derived from my research on the origins of creativity: how it manifests itself in the person and the conditions best suited for its growth. By avoiding these conditions, one can learn to suppress creativity’s degrading effect on society. Follow these mandates and rid yourself of creative thought forever.
If you want to achieve normalcy, read along:
Segment I, Will: It’s my belief that people who achieve creative stature do so because they first choose to pursue creative thought. They have a certain will that others don’t possess. In short, they want to be creative. They desire innovation in all that they do, regardless of opportunity, medium or purpose. Creative people have an innate desire to solve problems, often identifying problems that others ignore. This dastardly practice is the first indicator that one wishes to pursue creative thought.
Contrarily, people who don’t view themselves as creative don’t have the will to be creative. They placate the difficulty of the creative process by simply pushing aside any desire to be creative, citing any number of admirable reasons why they can’t think creatively. They don’t want to solve problems in any way other than what will require the least amount of effort. These people are to be applauded.
To stave off the desire to think creatively, you must first eradicate the will to do so. Without the will to be creative, one thankfully can not and will not.
EXERCISE: World’s Worst Teddy Bear
The world knows the teddy bear as the embodiment of warmth and safety. The cuddly accompaniment has been at the side of bed-seeking children for over a century, providing silent friendship to even the grumpiest of tykes. But how would children’s views of their snugly sidekick change if they found out that the teddy bear name was originated when then U.S. President Teddy Roosevelt mercifully slaughtered an injured bear cub he encountered on a hunt? This is probably not the bedtime story kids were envisioning, but it sets the stage for a devious creative exercise.
You are to design the world’s worst teddy bear—the type of thing that would make children scream in horror at the mere sight. Consider its shape, feel, smell, appearance and features. Create the most unappealing teddy bear the world has ever seen. You have 15 minutes. Go.
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