Right now we live in a world exploding with new and exciting technological developments. The digital revolution is transforming industries, re-imagining careers, and changing forever the way we create and do things.
So it’s understandable that sometimes we forget technology should be the handmaiden of our creativity.
But this forgetfulness can lead to two dangers:
We become in awe of technology.
We fear technology.
We must always remember technology is not an idea. It’s the means to express an idea. So under no circumstances should you become overawed by it.
New technologies have been coming and going forever. And, historically, when a new technology develops we’re often not quite sure how best to use it. There is for a time what I like to call a creative deficit.
Gutenberg may have invented the printing press and movable type, but he didn’t create the publishing industry.
The Lumière Brothers may have invented the motion-picture camera, but they didn’t invent the movie industry.
It was creative people – those storytellers I just mentioned – who realized the potential of these
new technologies and dreamed up the groundbreaking, imaginative ways to harness them.
So it is with digital technology. We need our very best creative people exploring how we can most intriguingly communicate ideas through this ever-evolving medium.
Which leads me to my second point.
Don’t be afraid of technology.
Many creative types resist new technologies, despite the fact this means missing out on new ways of self-expression. This is probably because we’re all so superstitious. We’re not sure where our own creativity comes from so therefore we resist change altogether.
My advice?
Relax. Don’t worry about it but don’t ignore it either. Embrace it as an excuse to play around with something new. You may soon find yourself having a lot of fun.
Without technology, our creativity would be limited to singing each other a song, telling stories, or scratching drawings on a cave wall. And as wonderful as all these activities are, you have to admit they’re a bit limiting.
Just remember that no matter what piece of technology has been invented, from the camera to the computer, or will be invented and no matter what value it claims to deliver, if it can’t in some shape or another deliver the full impact of a well-told story its worth will eventually diminish.