How craving attention makes you less creative | Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Summary

In this insightful TED Talk, the speaker explores the powerful dynamics of attention, contrasting the superficial desire for external validation with the deep satisfaction that comes from paying attention to the creative process. Reflecting on his own experiences as an actor, he discusses how technology and social media have turned attention into a commodity, leading to addictive cycles. By shifting from competition to collaboration, the speaker advocates for focusing on the work itself to achieve creative flow and fulfillment. Ultimately, the talk highlights the importance of authentic creativity over the pursuit of fleeting attention.

Takeaways

• 😀 The feeling of receiving attention is powerful, but paying attention can be even more fulfilling, especially for creatives.
• 😀 Creativity driven by the pursuit of attention can lead to unhappiness, while focusing on the act of creation itself brings more joy.
• 😀 As an actor, the experience of being on set and narrowing one's focus is the essence of creativity and flow.
• 😀 Social media platforms, like Instagram and Twitter, thrive on selling attention to advertisers, making users crave more attention.
• 😀 The addictive cycle of social media rewards getting attention but never allows users to feel satisfied or fulfilled.
• 😀 The constant desire for more followers on social media can lead to feelings of inadequacy and self-criticism.
• 😀 Technology, while not inherently negative, can inadvertently shift creativity into a means of gaining attention, thanks to social media's business model.
• 😀 True creative fulfillment often comes from collaboration rather than competition, as seen in the actor's experience on set.
• 😀 Flow, the psychological state of deep focus, is critical for creativity, and achieving it requires practice and an environment free of distractions.
• 😀 The internet can be a powerful tool for collaboration, where people from around the world can create together without the pressure of competing for attention.

Q & A

What are the two powerful feelings the speaker discusses in the talk?

The speaker talks about two powerful feelings: one is the feeling of getting attention, which he describes as powerful but fleeting, and the other is the feeling of paying attention, which he describes as more fulfilling and central to his creative process.

How does the speaker describe the feeling of being an actor on set?

The speaker describes the feeling of being on set as one of intense focus, where everything else fades away, and he is only paying attention to the moment. This focused attention, he believes, is a form of creativity and is central to why he enjoys acting.

How has the advent of technology affected creativity according to the speaker?

The speaker acknowledges that technology has democratized creative expression, allowing more people to create and share. However, he also points out an unintended consequence: creativity is increasingly driven by the desire to get attention, rather than to create for the sake of creation itself.

What is the speaker's relationship with social media and attention?

The speaker admits to being initially drawn into the attention-driven nature of social media, specifically Twitter. He acknowledges that he used his acting career to gain followers and attention, which affected his creative process and distracted him from authentic artistic work.

Why does the speaker caution against pursuing attention through creativity?

The speaker cautions against pursuing attention because it leads to an endless cycle of inadequacy. No matter how much attention you get, it’s never enough, and it distracts from the deeper fulfillment that comes from creating for its own sake.

What is the role of social media platforms like Instagram in driving attention?

Social media platforms like Instagram make money by selling user attention to advertisers. This incentivizes users to crave more attention, creating a cycle where the pursuit of attention becomes an addiction, negatively impacting creativity and mental well-being.

How does the speaker suggest people can break free from this attention-driven cycle?

The speaker suggests that instead of competing for attention, people should focus on collaboration. By collaborating with others and paying attention to the creative process rather than the outcome or the attention it generates, individuals can regain focus and fulfillment.

What is 'flow' and how does it relate to creativity?

'Flow' is a psychological state in which a person is completely absorbed in an activity, paying attention to just one thing. This state is considered highly beneficial for creativity, and the speaker argues that reaching flow is essential for happiness and creative fulfillment.

What does the speaker believe about competition in creative work?

The speaker believes that seeing others as competitors in creative work diminishes focus and negatively impacts the creative process. Instead, by viewing others as collaborators, the process becomes easier and more fulfilling.

How does the speaker reconcile his feelings about attention during this TED Talk?

The speaker admits that part of him still craves attention even while giving the talk. However, he acknowledges that the act of preparing and delivering the talk itself is an opportunity to focus on something meaningful, regardless of the attention it might bring.