Creativity Is Fading!
I think one of the worst degradations that advancements of technology have brought about is the beauty and creativity that comes with much handwork. Now that most artisans use automated systems and machines to get their work done, there is not much space for creative thinking anymore. And to save money and time, there are just basic models that have to be followed.
You can think of it across several fields, and you’ll see that things are very much different now. In the past, creativity was encouraged and rewarded. The better you are at doing certain things, the more expensive your services could be. But today, many people don’t even bother to be creative. They just do the bare minimum and charge exorbitantly. This is because the machines have made it so much easier that we don’t have to think too much anymore.
I think one major example of this is in buildings. In the past, it was rare for two buildings to look even remotely alike. This was because the builders took great care to plan it all; they designed it and used resources to make it work. For the art and designs, many of them were handcrafted. Specially made for the particular building to make it beautiful.
From the blocks to the floor, even the tile, everything served a purpose in aesthetics. Nothing was out of place. And when it was finished, it all made sense. And such buildings always stood the test of time because the materials used were always of high quality. Because builders back then were also very much invested in integrity.
However, things are very different today. When you go through reels of ‘beautiful houses’ on Facebook, they all look alike, and the only unique features are their furniture. Designs are made by machine with insane precision, and most of the time, this takes the life out of the job. It becomes regular and lacks soul.
I remember as a boy seeing gardeners work with their garden shears. The way they pruned flowers with such precision and care, turning them into the exact image they want, the kind of image that will complement the home it was beautifying. But we don’t really get that kind of dedication anymore, do we? What about chairs and tables? What about plates and cups?
In those days, the designs on China plates were handcrafted, and that was why some of them always had something different from the others. For some, they were a flaw, for others, they were just another factor that made them unique. And even then, those plates were of top quality! They could fall down a flight of stairs and still be intact. Not like the ones we buy these days, if you drop them too hard into the sink, they’ll shatter at once.
But then, I’m not saying any of this from ignorance. I know the amount of labor that would have gone into such jobs. It was definitely strenuous, and most of the time, the people didn’t get the actual value of the work they were putting in. Technology makes it all easier, but also less durable and very basic.
Our chairs these days are basic. If you search online for sophisticated chairs and give them to your carpenter to make, they’ll look at you as if you’re crazy. Tailors can’t copy designs already created to the letter; how then can they make their own unique designs? It’s as if everything we now make use of in life works only with two or three models, and that’s it. Anything else is just stress.
And sadly, we’re slowly accepting this as a way of life. It’s too bad, but what can we do? I guess the age of creativity is fading. I weep for future generations.
This is true. The creativity behind artworks and intellectual properties nowadays are fading, more like relying on AI. There is something unique in crafts that is built from human hands and as time passes, we have this different creation different from yesterday. But in AI, everything looks the same and boring. Can save time but not creative enough for those who are passionate in true art.
Yeah... it's all the same and you can't just see that spark that once made them unique and memorable.
Very correct sir. Gone are those days when people were so much into creativity. They put their best in and get paid, but today in our world, everything has gone digital. What will take one two to three days before to accomplish, now takes an hour or two to do. Thanks for sharing
We've traded ease for creativity, and eventually, all creativity gets stifled. That's just too sad.
This is very true. A lot has changed in terms of creativity. Those things made back then were much stronger and of higher quality compared to now. We don't have souls incorporated in them again because everyone now wants the easy way and a shortcut. We value those things then, and to say they last years compared to what we have now. When I see an item not as strong as it ought to especially when it's the same item as in the past, it only makes me sad because we have lost so much touch, and I wonder what it would look like in the future generation.
I remember when china plates were used to dish food at parties. This was because you could trust them to be strong, no matter what. If you try it now, you'll cry. Now, even pots break when they fall to the ground. I've seen a ladle break into two because it was being handled 'too roughly'
We're cooked, I swear!
I also think the same and I notice the same design building in many places which was rare in the past. I think now people are just trying get everything easy and capable enough to make some money it's enough. I think we also don't want to much creative work either.
Just like these days, white is the color of luxury. White houses, white interior, white couches, white curtains. That's just it. Everything is now so basic. Just bland and boring.
Yes, you are very correct.
In those days people are more focused and very committed in creativity.
But now things are changing,
Most people are relying on AI for better results.
This is one of the reason creativity of nowadays is fading..
Well, what can we do? It's the world we live in now. We just have to keep fighting the good fight, so that creativity will not become obsolete.