Creativity does not exist without difficulties, dangers and most of all eccentricity. When it does, it is not creativity. And when there is no creativity, there is no passion. And without that there is no life and no expectation that that life can ever be improved upon. This is why the homogenization of child-rearing, education, societies, governments, art, races and cultures is the devastating virus that it is. To generically render ourselves safe in the bosom of sameness is to sit back and await the one and only thing that it is possible to create in such an overprotected environment: extinction. - 04-04-05

Doctors, Art Experts to Explore Link Between Creativity, illness
Misty Harris, Tom Spears - Ottawa Citizen - January 26, 2005 - Page A4

Doctors and art experts will explore the disease behind the creative mind. . . To be the best one can be will now be relegated to being sick, to being genetically flawed. How enlightening! The homogeneity ethos of our times is now legitimizing historic genetic revisionism in the arts. But then, how else can creativity (that which elicits admiration and awe) be brought down to a more palatable lowest common denominator level?

Such scientific analysis is safe, non threatening (to the experts). The subjects are long dead. The findings are impossible to prove or disprove. Who would sue? Who would contradict professional discoveries of flawed eccentricity? And we all know that, in anxious times, that which is different then you and I are" must be abnormal. History has long taught us that if difference disturbs - (makes us uncomfortable), the safest reaction is to expertly, scientifically revise its status thus categoriszing and proving its abnormality - its unacceptability.

The longevity of worship enjoyed by the Michelangelos and Van Goghs of this world is now being defined as no longer "of our times". Tolerated it may have been in earlier centuries, it is fast becoming unacceptable. Even Master artworks, born of the passions, expertise, efforts and talents of "creators," are questionable. Even these, in our lost-ego times, have become nefarious symbols of "superiority". They are therefore threatening. It is no longer contemporary to stand in awe before a David - wondering at the spiritual power which enhances the stature of his being. It is no longer modern to be moved or touched or taken-in by greatness. Today, in these rerality-tv times, our souls can better deal with life if we look up at creative phenomenae with an eye for flaws, both within and without. We will feel more secure in our insecurity if we secretly wish David crash to the floor. It would put an end to the histrionics of master-worshipping, eclipsing forever our need to recognize creativity in all its grandeur. And. . . there would be room for us on the empty pedestal. . .

Monet’s impressions too must be associated with some failing or other. Van Gogh’s illness must be the reason why he was prolific. Accepting that he created despite his problems no longer fits into our reality-tv-victim mind-set. How else could these greats have received such adulation over centuries for their genius? How else could they have achieved such recognition if their abilities and passions and efforts and talents were not born of some genetically enhanced abnormality? Genius must be homogenized - normalized. If genius was normal wouldn’t more of us be so? Modernity tolerates only fleetingly what it cannot accept as normal. And accepting greatness is not an option in a world where marketing defines who and if we are anybody. Collective sameness is what is - despite the (unexplained?) frenetic race to buy yet another lottery ticket. The problem is that deep down inside, despite the power of the experts, we all still secretly wish to be something or somebody - to be different - to be greater. But as passionately doing is an absolute requirement for genius, we cringe at the required effort, deny ourselves the pleasure and raise our children to avoid this suffering. We encourage them to accept a normal fate and stifle any urges to be different, to be creative. Why bother when experts and not human values now dictate what is right and good. Anyway, bringing down those who dare is a more facile way of giving ourselves the illusion of rising above the bar.

Michelangelo and Monet and Van Gogh, et al are sick? Contemporary society will rue the day it came to perceive genius, difference, effort, talent or vision as abnormal - as a threat. Thank God contemporary children are so impertinent and rebellious. They might yet survive our neurotic need to make science, the arts, craft, sport and life in all its wondrousness normal. - 26-01-05

A most exquisitely mastered accounting exercise is often more creative and mesmerizing than many paintings which we have been conditioned to accept as “contemporary masterpieces”. - 78