Effort-Attention Tensions

The New Emerges

The creative project does not exist in a vacuum. It is part of a world of values and activities, of expectations and assumptions, of people and organizations, of rules and regulations, of irresistible forces and immovable objects.

This pre-existing reality is both a source of strength and assistance, and a generator of fear and pressure.

Creation is constant. When something original manifests, and this happens constantly, it is often barely noticed. Why? Because of the spontaneous way it emerges. It may be new but it barely seems so.

Frame of reference. The frame affects our perception of what counts as «proper» creation. We find ourselves thinking differently about a five-year-old making a drawing, a middle manager cutting costs, and a scientist testing a new hypothesis. Within any particular frame of reference, the greater the originality or difference from what currently exists, i.e. the more extreme the creativity, the more likely we are to append the label «creative». But it may all be creative from the perspective of the person involved.

The Dilemma

Any creative project proceeds through a flow of creative choices. As you make those choices, you must determine whether your attention and effort should be targeted at:

  • what is tried, tested and pre-existent

    or

  • what is new, different and about-to-be-existent.

Depending on the context or choice, these two poles may be referred to in different ways, including:

The Tried (T) v The New (N)
ever-present v emergent
routine v unexpected
orthodox v unorthodox
traditional v radical
known-safe v unknown-risky
proven v speculative
natural v bizarre
habitual v innovative
rational v experimental
comfortable v challenging

This polarity will manifest at each level of being creative. Earlier inquiries have revealed that the two poles form distinct Centres of choice at some Levels, while the polarity is fused at other Levels to produce a balanced Centre.

In formulae:

Centres that are tried, tested, routine &c. are indicated by a subscript T,
Centres that are new, different, emergent &c are indicated by a subscript N.
Centres that fuse or synthesize the two poles are indicated by a subscript B.

In diagrams:

Levels where the two poles are distinct will have the dominant Centre placed on the right. balanced Centres are placed centrally.

Originally posted: 9-Mar-2012