Real vs. Surreal

I want to pose an idea.

We should live a life based in the real, not the surreal. The surreal supposes unrealistic grandeur, which is posed in many forms as reality, but is in fact scripted, and fantasy. Reality is tangible, gritty, and effective. Surreality is not - it is blinding and lacks truth.

Let me toss you a few ideas of how culture succumbs to the surreal versus the real... (these examples may frustrate you, but that's kind of the point)

-Reality Television: there's no reality in 24 hour cameras, scripted scenarios, larger-than-life characters; and yet many try and emulate our reality tv stars.

-Planned Obsolescence: this is the manufacturing model that produces products with a planned life-span, which forces the consumer to re-buy "new and better" products. It makes sense on paper, but eventually the consumer will no longer tolerate it, and the companies that produce products that last and endure, will win. The pendulum is finally swinging in the right direction here!

-Ethanol: over 40% of our corn production is being used for an alternative fuel that burns faster and worse than gasoline. We simply cannot sustain an economy that burns its food, while people are starving.

-War: the idea that, "if we just kill enough of the enemy," we will win over the hearts and minds of those we are in conflict with, and peace will reign is a lie. History shows that redemptive violence will never bring peace.

-Ending Poverty: It's estimated that $150 Billion dollars could end global poverty (bringing food, clean water, shelter, medicine, and education to the impoverished world). The surreal says that "we'll never end poverty." In fact, it would be a drop in the bucket. The US alone spent $14 Billion bailing out our auto manufacturers, $700 Billion on the bank bailout, and over $2.4 Trillion on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Money is not the issue!

-Consumption: this is the lie that if we just have more, we'll be happy.

I believe that the cure is more creativity! When our leaders stop expecting new results while employing failed methods, we will start to resemble reality, and true, tangible change will occur.

Please feel free to chime in. I want your thoughts!

Peace,
Ross

Monday is for Transformational Creativity

My buddy Brandon showed this to me a while back. It'd brilliant! It shows the transformational nature of creativity. Love it and spread it around!



Peace,
Ross

Tomorrow at The Duck Room (St. Louis, MO)

I really hope to see you there!

Peace,
Ross

Thoughts on Snow.

Living in St. Louis this year means we have yet to see any snow. But I'm going to write about it anyway today - maybe in hopes of an eventual snowfall...

I think snow is a perfect metaphor for creativity. Early on as children, we loved the idea of getting a foot of snow dumped on us. We watched the windows impatiently as the first flurries of winter fell. We stayed up and watched the nightly news for the possibility of school closings. We woke up to crisp mornings and no matter the wind chill demanded to go outside and create snowmen, snow angels, snow forts, and go sledding.

But as we grew up, snow brought us tension. It meant shoveling and slow traffic. It meant longer lines at the store (as if this snow was going to be a wintry' apocalypse).

As with creativity, what was once enthusiastic and natural, has become tamed and even hated.

But as the snow falls this year, take a few moments to look through a densely wooded area. You can see everything. Snow exposes what was once camouflaged. The crispness of the air is rejuvenating. The snow can beckon creativity, newness, freshness, while also causing stress and retreat. So it goes with creativity.

Peace,
Ross

iEmpathize...do you?

Empathy Week: iEmpathize and Universities from iEmpathize on Vimeo.

iEmpathize is an amazing organization that works to raise awareness and put an end to the sex trade. Please check out their site HERE!

I have been humbled to have been their feature musician at 2 of their recent events, and now have music featured on their national promo videos.

I look forward to a future with the great folks at iEmpathize!

Peace,
Ross

Cora is 4!!!

Today is Cora's birthday. She's 4! It's unreal, really. She's gotten so mature, her character is forming as a true compassionate and empathetic individual, and she's got more creativity than I could ever hope for.



Happy birthday Cora!

Peace,
Ross

Mad Props.

I gotta' give some mad props to one of the most creative guys I know. He's a photographer, a web designer, a maverick editor and manipulator, a soothsayer, a collaborator, a soaker, and has been my friend since seventh grade honors choir.

He's the guy behind my website and makes me (and it) look way cooler than we are...

Check out Brandon Schultz's work here and here. If you need web, photo, or any other creative work done, get Brandon on your side.

Thanks a million Brandon!

Peace,
Ross