How to Be TRULY Original

TL;DR

The originality disease, which prevents creators from imitating others, can be cured by embracing imitation as a pathway to innovation and pursuing truth, wonder, and beauty instead of solely originality.

Transcript

what if i told you that the best way to make something original is to imitate other writers i call this theory imitate then innovate and it's built on the idea that in general creators spend much less time imitating their heroes than they do trying to make something new something original and i'll tell you why but i don't think this is a good thing... Read More

Key Insights

• 🎭 Quentin Tarantino's originality and distinct style in filmmaking begins with imitation, as he replicates and builds upon scenes from other movies.
• 💡 People often misunderstand inspiration, thinking it needs to come out of thin air, leading writers to avoid studying anything that has been done before out of fear of losing originality.
• 🎓 Academia's focus on original contributions often leads to pursuing useless forms of originality, where scholars prioritize doing something different rather than making useful contributions to human knowledge.
• 🖼️ The originality disease may stem from self-obsession, as artists like Salvador Dali and the surrealists rejected the outer world and turned inwards for inspiration, favoring dream-inspired visions.
• 🔎 The alternative to the originality disease is a pursuit towards truth, as C.S. Lewis suggests that those who focus on doing a good job and telling the truth become truly original without even noticing it.
• 🎨 The primary purpose of art shifted from creating beauty to shocking viewers with originality after Duchamp's urinal in 1917, emphasizing the importance of pursuing truth, wonder, and beauty instead of solely originality.
• 🖋️ Writers should imitate and copy other writers they admire, internalizing what makes them great, and mirroring their style or values, rather than solely striving for originality.
• 🔍 Valuing originality as the ultimate goal in writing is a sign of an amateur writer, as the focus should be on quality, beauty, and clear communication.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does Quentin Tarantino's creative process involve both imitation and innovation?

Quentin Tarantino's creative process involves imitating scenes from other movies and then building upon them to create his own original works. He openly admits to stealing from every single movie ever made, highlighting the importance of imitation as a pathway to innovation.

Q: Why do many writers fear imitation and prioritize originality instead?

Many writers fear that imitating others will taint their minds with the influence of previous works, believing that inspiration should come solely from their own original thoughts. They misunderstand the value of imitation in finding inspiration and fail to see that imitation can lead to innovative and unique creations.

Q: How does academia contribute to the originality disease?

Academia encourages original contributions, leading to a focus on studying things that nobody else has studied before. This pursuit of originality sometimes overrides the goal of making useful contributions to human knowledge. It is important to recognize that originality and usefulness are not the same thing.

Q: How does the originality disease relate to self-obsession?

The originality disease may stem from a culture of self-obsession, fueled by ideas like Freud's ego and subconscious. Artists, like writers with the originality disease, may reject the outer world and turn inward for inspiration, similar to surrealists who rejected logic and reason for dream-inspired visions.

Q: According to C.S. Lewis, what mindset leads to true originality?

According to C.S. Lewis, the mindset that leads to true originality is one focused on doing a good job and telling the truth, rather than solely seeking originality. By pursuing truth, wonder, and beauty, writers can become original without even realizing it.

Q: How can imitating other writers benefit the writing process?

By imitating other writers, individuals can internalize what makes those writers great. This process helps writers understand and appreciate different writing styles, values, and techniques. It allows them to grow and develop their craft by learning from those they admire.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Quentin Tarantino, known for his originality, actually starts with imitation and builds upon scenes from other movies, proving that imitation and innovation can go hand in hand.

• The causes of the originality disease include misunderstanding inspiration, pursuing useless forms of originality, and self-obsession.

• The solution to the originality disease is to pursue truth, wonder, and beauty by imitating and internalizing the work of admired writers, valuing quality and clear communication over originality.