Gorgeous deep dive into the Altamira story. The nuance around how Victorian scientism struggled to reconcile evolutionary theory with artistic capacity really got me thinking. In my own work as a consultant, I see a parallel with how organizations talk about innovation but still treat employees like cogs that need stricter processes rather tahn free-thinking agents. The Chesterton framing about art being the signature of man realy makes sense when you consider how many people today have that "cool project" locked away because the daily grind doesn't leave room for it.
I'm pretty sure that the "cool project" is true of almost every person alive. We seem to be wired to attach ourselves to exciting visions. I think that it's the body's way of ensuring we contribute to the world. One of those "wisdom of evolution" things.
A little present for you James: one of the most profound insights I’ve ever encountered about the dilemma faced by the creative person attempting to make a living in the standard model workplace:
“What integrates an individual life is a consistent
creative purpose or unconscious direction. Instinct
alone will not suffice to give unity to the life of a
civilized man or woman: there must be some
dominant object, an ambition, a desire for
scientific or artistic creation, a religious principle,
or strong and lasting affections. Unity of life is
This is a fascinating quote, and probably a good reason for me to go read Bertrand Russel. I'll have to find his work.
I'm reminded of a story I read about one of the founders of Laban movement analysis -- over time she grew so observant about body language that she could tell if someone had suicidal impulses by the way they moved. If I recall correctly, she described it somewhat in the same way Russel did -- the impulse to move is made abortive. Almost like any attempt at motion defeats itself.
I'm actually quite familiar with this (though, thankfully, not suicidal). The more I think on it, actually, the more compelling it seems, and I'm pretty sure the whole thing is related to the physiological shame system. I'm 90% certain that shame is something like a "vagal brake" that mutes unacceptable impulses. In some people it's overactive. I'm one of them. It makes me astoundingly level-headed, but if I let myself go at all (ever), my body responds with crippling depression. It's very strange, and not explained by any cognitive beliefs that I'm aware of. It appears to be a visceral "nope" response. I wish, very much, that I had the ability to research all of the hypotheses in my head. As it is I've barely covered any of them. But maybe what I'm doing here on Substack will be a good starting place.
I'm not entirely certain I agree with Russel's framework -- my body innately resists consistency. But then, looking over my life, maybe it's evidence that he's right. Thankfully I seem to have more integration now.
I appreciate how you put as much effort into your replies as I do with my comments. Good balance James.
I used to be offended by the old saw that people become psychologists to work out their own problems. Until I realized it’s true! And why not? It took me until my early 60’s to fully understand the nature of my suffering and decrease it somewhat. The complexity of human nature often defies easy explanation, which is why I write and why I appreciate your efforts here. Onward!
(BTW, I referred someone interested in human creativity to your latest Moonshots piece. One subscriber in return for your 50+ to me. Good to be non-zero!).
“If the desire to create is really, as Chesterton observed, “the signature of man,” then I think that it deserves to be taken seriously. I think we should understand more about what it is, how it works, what blocks it, and how to overcome those blocks. And I plan to take a shot at that.”
A brilliant focus for your research, thinking/writing, and service offering. I look forward to your future essays with great anticipation!
(Fun Fact: when I decided I didn’t want to work as a clinical psychologist/therapist anymore, I decided to help people and organizations manage “the human side of work”. Most psychologists are bored by the topic of work. But I, and you, understand that work is a frame in which all of human nature plays out powerfully. Very tasty topic for study and translation into service!).
Oh BTW, your story of Marcelino Sanz de Sautuola and his daughter will be part of an early chapter of a beautiful book, written by you one essay at a time.
You're always far kinder to me than I deserve -- but I'm deeply appreciative. I do think you and I share that in common. In graduate school I studied both leadership (specifically, Charismatic leadership) and later productivity (i.e. procrastination) and I've always been interested in work in a purely abstract form -- perhaps because I struggle with it so much.
Odd that I have so little affection for the modern workplace. But maybe's it's because the modern workplace is (largely) opposed to the kind of work that inspires me.
Gorgeous deep dive into the Altamira story. The nuance around how Victorian scientism struggled to reconcile evolutionary theory with artistic capacity really got me thinking. In my own work as a consultant, I see a parallel with how organizations talk about innovation but still treat employees like cogs that need stricter processes rather tahn free-thinking agents. The Chesterton framing about art being the signature of man realy makes sense when you consider how many people today have that "cool project" locked away because the daily grind doesn't leave room for it.
NF,
I'm pretty sure that the "cool project" is true of almost every person alive. We seem to be wired to attach ourselves to exciting visions. I think that it's the body's way of ensuring we contribute to the world. One of those "wisdom of evolution" things.
James
What a fascinating topic and angle on it. Can’t wait to read more.
A little present for you James: one of the most profound insights I’ve ever encountered about the dilemma faced by the creative person attempting to make a living in the standard model workplace:
“What integrates an individual life is a consistent
creative purpose or unconscious direction. Instinct
alone will not suffice to give unity to the life of a
civilized man or woman: there must be some
dominant object, an ambition, a desire for
scientific or artistic creation, a religious principle,
or strong and lasting affections. Unity of life is
very difficult for a man or woman who has
suffered a certain kind of defeat, the kind by
which what should have been the dominant
impulse is checked and made abortive. Most
(jobs) inflict this kind of defeat … at the very
outset. In no (business) is there any respect for
the native pride without which a person cannot
remain whole; the (workplace) ruthlessly crushes
it out, because it implies independence, and
people desire to enslave others more than they
desire to be free themselves. Inward freedom is
infinitely precious, and a society which will
preserve it is immeasurably to be desired.”
— Bertrand Russell
Baird,
This is a fascinating quote, and probably a good reason for me to go read Bertrand Russel. I'll have to find his work.
I'm reminded of a story I read about one of the founders of Laban movement analysis -- over time she grew so observant about body language that she could tell if someone had suicidal impulses by the way they moved. If I recall correctly, she described it somewhat in the same way Russel did -- the impulse to move is made abortive. Almost like any attempt at motion defeats itself.
I'm actually quite familiar with this (though, thankfully, not suicidal). The more I think on it, actually, the more compelling it seems, and I'm pretty sure the whole thing is related to the physiological shame system. I'm 90% certain that shame is something like a "vagal brake" that mutes unacceptable impulses. In some people it's overactive. I'm one of them. It makes me astoundingly level-headed, but if I let myself go at all (ever), my body responds with crippling depression. It's very strange, and not explained by any cognitive beliefs that I'm aware of. It appears to be a visceral "nope" response. I wish, very much, that I had the ability to research all of the hypotheses in my head. As it is I've barely covered any of them. But maybe what I'm doing here on Substack will be a good starting place.
I'm not entirely certain I agree with Russel's framework -- my body innately resists consistency. But then, looking over my life, maybe it's evidence that he's right. Thankfully I seem to have more integration now.
James
I appreciate how you put as much effort into your replies as I do with my comments. Good balance James.
I used to be offended by the old saw that people become psychologists to work out their own problems. Until I realized it’s true! And why not? It took me until my early 60’s to fully understand the nature of my suffering and decrease it somewhat. The complexity of human nature often defies easy explanation, which is why I write and why I appreciate your efforts here. Onward!
(BTW, I referred someone interested in human creativity to your latest Moonshots piece. One subscriber in return for your 50+ to me. Good to be non-zero!).
Bravo James! You’ve nailed it!
“If the desire to create is really, as Chesterton observed, “the signature of man,” then I think that it deserves to be taken seriously. I think we should understand more about what it is, how it works, what blocks it, and how to overcome those blocks. And I plan to take a shot at that.”
A brilliant focus for your research, thinking/writing, and service offering. I look forward to your future essays with great anticipation!
(Fun Fact: when I decided I didn’t want to work as a clinical psychologist/therapist anymore, I decided to help people and organizations manage “the human side of work”. Most psychologists are bored by the topic of work. But I, and you, understand that work is a frame in which all of human nature plays out powerfully. Very tasty topic for study and translation into service!).
Oh BTW, your story of Marcelino Sanz de Sautuola and his daughter will be part of an early chapter of a beautiful book, written by you one essay at a time.
Onward! 🌱
Baird,
You're always far kinder to me than I deserve -- but I'm deeply appreciative. I do think you and I share that in common. In graduate school I studied both leadership (specifically, Charismatic leadership) and later productivity (i.e. procrastination) and I've always been interested in work in a purely abstract form -- perhaps because I struggle with it so much.
Odd that I have so little affection for the modern workplace. But maybe's it's because the modern workplace is (largely) opposed to the kind of work that inspires me.
James
Yeah, the workplace is essentially a Skinner Box operated by greedy narcissists. Best to avoid if possible for sure!