Overcoming high brow bias as a creator
Dear readers,
I write a lot and post a little. I'm currently planning to make some changes and would like to share a few principles I've discovered. I think these ideas can help anyone dealing with creator's block, whether they have trouble creating consistently or find it hard to show their work to others.
I want to transition from my previous, neater, more structured format to make my publishing process lighter. I believe it's essential to find a way to create easily and publish easily in order to benefit from the publishing effect. Our minds are highly social. After hitting the publish button and imagining potential viewers, we get better at finding mistakes, spotting weaknesses, and seeing things more clearly. Ideally, creating should be as straightforward as an orchard tree bearing its apples.
In the creative process, I believe better outcomes arise when we are precise about direction and more relaxed about quality. In the long run, it's vital to stay true to your values, not compromise on key aspects, and keep refining your approach. This may involve incorporating ideas that initially feel awkward but seem worthwhile, and envisioning the end goal without obsessing over the quality of your work. When exploring unfamiliar territory, it's natural for things to be a bit fuzzy around the edges at first. However, with enough repetitions, the quality will improve over time.
I'm looking for a way to reduce the resistance of hitting the "publish" button. You can't be good at something if you don't publish a lot, but publishing in any medium is hard. Ideally, writing should be similar to how we text a friend, using words that come naturally without being forced or blocked by overthinking. As a content creator, it is incredibly valuable to muster the courage to press the publish button, to reveal oneself, and be more accepting with mistakes. Initially, the outcomes may feel disappointing, but I believe that focusing on creating content easily and frequently testing it through publishing will ultimately lead to the highest quality output.
As stated in "The Elephant in the Brain," humans possess a deeply ingrained hierarchical nature, which often remains hidden from our own awareness. I believe art (when I say "art," I mean any creative task) is largely about climbing hierarchies and finding ways for others to think highly of us. I believe that any form of creation is largely about shouting, "please love me."
On the flip side of this dynamic, there is a fear of not being enough, often expressed as excuses like, "I'm not talented enough to draw, write, paint, or play music.” I call this the high brow bias, which relates to hierarchy bias in the context of creating.
I, too, have inner "animals" worrying about these things. I often find myself concerned about imaginary readers who might critique my syntax or distinguished critics who could disapprove of my epistemics. These concerns are valid, but I also need to keep moving forward, revealing myself, testing my creations, and therefore gradually improving. I enjoy the form of this text, and I believe that this format, as a message to readers, helps to tone down the highbrow culture in me.
I believe there's a more effective remedy, though. A friend once told me that the strongest people he knows are the ones who love lifting weights, and the most flexible people are those who love stretching (he has friends who can do the splits and even fall asleep at parties in that position). This is reminiscent of Michael Pollan's psychedelic journey, during which he experienced ego death and realized that love is the most fundamental force in the universe. Naval Ravikant shares a similar approach when it comes to reading. If you love learning, don't force yourself to read books; instead, cultivate a habit of enjoying reading.
I believe there's something universal about this approach. It counters our hierarchical brains, our negativity bias, and our evolutionary inclination to focus on the negative. I try to make a habit of doing everything with love. By love, I mean being caring and attentive when performing any task. I often forget about this mindset, but when I remember it, it helps me when I'm struggling or feeling discontented with myself. The past is in the past, and the only thing I can do is start from where I am. It's especially hard when feeling guilty, worried about how I'll be received, or disappointed with a chain of events. The only thing I can do is start where I am, accept it, and put care, attention and love into this moment. This applies to writing and the everlasting struggle of culture and questions like, "Can I publish this?" or "Is this enough?"
In summary, high-brow biases and the fears surrounding them are very likely at the core of culture. I'll try to counteract these forces by betting on an organic creative process and approaching things with love. I would like this to become something like a journal of my becoming. I'm okay if my texts will feel more temporary. I'll just share my process, struggle with ideas, and simply show where I am right now.
Love, Paweł
