How to Think Originally

[@secretsofshadowsgame]

consuming widely (and not just books) really helps for anyone doing some sort of creative or interdisciplinary field. I'm doing game development right now and I try to replace mindless youtube content (drama, gossip, memes, etc) with watching movies. Even just technical things like how shots are framed can have a huge impact on the way i think about my own creative work

[@odysseas__]

Love that. There's always something to learn almost everywhere you look.

[@solidagold115]

Since I heard this definition about creativity, I don't feel bad about expressing something that has been done before: "Creativity is where you are taking things you already know and combining it in your own unique way". We are all just humans who can only create out of things that already exist. We can't just magically create new things (which is a common thought for artists I think). That is what makes us humans special. We experience things, make it our own and bend it into something new serving another purpose. Beautiful.

[@KopyErr]

​​​Frrrrr ​@@solidagold115 Today I created something very good Two things I've seen influenced it Those two things, I was in awe of when seeing them so it stuck in my mind I guess Now it's bounced off into a whole new thing with what I created Then the world goes round and round

[@nathanhassallpoetry]

Yep. The mind is a great synthesizer of ideas. The more you put in, the more potential comes back. Backing this with solid philosophy helps to stricture this, also, so what you synthesize and churn out has greater depth to it. I'll make a video about this on my KZbin at some point.

[@redherringoffshoot2341]

depends on the sort of memes you’re consuming(brainrot/safe edgy/generally mainstream memes are bad) but everything else I agree w/

[@Servus-Dei-1997]

First step to think originally is to not try to think originally.

[@infinitelogicmachine8587]

Mmmhmm. It’s about natural flow, which you cannot force

[@salbaby123]

this

[@emsfofems]

'if you want more original thoughts... then stop consuming"

[@Burger_catto]

well most people who don't consume that much content Will produce a piece of work related to their life experiences which can be called unique but there more similarities between different people than we actually imagine and it's specially True during this time when most people have more or less a similar life style.

[@SLTYMILK]

“Your thoughts are the sum of your bookshelf.” I like that, it’s quite true and extends to podcasts, KZbin vids, etc. Also that Nietzsche quote about walks is spot on. So many ideas from fresh air, sunlight, and a quiet mind

[@RichReportcom]

Your thoughts are the sum of the books you throw out.

[@jockey5983]

This guy is making me realize things I've been subconsciously thinking about

[@odysseas__]

Grateful to hear that

[@denizwithz9589]

Doing nothing is really underrated advice. Most of my breakthroughs in my writing happened when I was in my german classes (I don't understand the language at all). I was forced to stay still for 2 hours a day and I was able to let myself think

[@odysseas__]

Haha yeah lessons like that were a good chance for them to come.

[@fairyfarms]

omg this happens to me in class all the time!!

[@JIBRILANGELO]

isnt this called diffused thinking kind of like being in the shower having shower thoughts or getting inspirstion after taking a walk

[@marcc16]

I remember a Kitchen Nightmares episode where the owner was completely oblivious and kept buying and stocking more and more food but business was slow and the chefs couldn’t cook it all so they just kept storing more and more until the freezers were overfilling. There was so much valuable produce and meat that all had to be thrown out because it had become inedible and freezer burnt. Kinda the same idea if you keep filling your brain with all this good content but never materializing it into something useful for yourself or something beneficial for others.

[@WickedPawn]

That's a great way to put it. That's why themes are so scattered in cinema now I bet

[@hoppergrasa]

I like how you really mention that rest is necessary in the creative process. Art is not content, it shouldn’t make artists act like factories. Art is a daily practice that has varied time lines of completion

[@odysseas__]

Well said, I like that.

[@Joerideabike]

No, you don’t need to lead an exciting life to be able to write. Every life is filled with trouble. I’m 78, but I still remember the first time I saw the F word scratched into the wood fibers of a fence board. I was ashamed. Just looking at it made me feel guilty. Guilty, be cause I wanted to go closer and look at it, at the F and the U and the C and the K . I was eight years old. I looked to the left and to the right like my mom told me to when I’m crossing the street. I was alone, and I was crossing into the unknown. The shame, the excitement, the sex of it. All of it in that moment…. Anyway, you get the idea: Life IS trouble, only death is not. Who said that? Somebody. Don’t wait for some exciting (trite) adventure to write about. Show your readers adventure is all around us, inescapable. ……..,,,, Then just to the right there was another word scratched in: “You.” That could only mean one thing: me. It was me. How did they know I was a shameful kid thinking of sex. But it was true. It was written on my face somehow. I had to get outta there. I ran. I can run fast. I’m good at it. “Hey kid, get back here.” Was that a real voice or the kind I heard when I locked the chickens in their coop at night? I wasn’t sure of those either, the gravel crunching so loud as I ran back to the back door every night. Wow, I was a troubled kid.

[@seiaseia10]

Damn what a great read

[@JunoCat1890]

Love your writing style and thats a pretty great way to write about a memory!!

[@munamoombahabulembe1792]

thank you so much for this profound insight .just know that you changed some middle aged Africans life somewhere in Zambia ❤

[@TheCosmicCinem4]

Great writingggg

[@ShockedShortsz]

Phenomenal writing! I would like to ask you a question as well. Being 78, what would you deem to be the greatest life lesson that young individuals should learn?

[@grave0x]

Watching smaller creators and listening to smaller music artists has always been something I’ve enjoyed

[@kitebarbie]

Alan Watts is known for saying exactly that… if you’re constantly having this internal conversation, or busy with constant input, you can’t hear your own thoughts- highly recommend his lectures. I think he died in the 1970s, but his lectures live on and they’re brilliant. Thanks again for inspiration! Always appreciate your thoughts on things.

[@odysseas__]

Thanks, and I love that point. I've heard his name too so I ought to check him out.

[@kitebarbie]

@@odysseas__ I seem to recall you saying you did an ecology degree. He talks about that topic as well-it’s a book called “Does it Matter” if I remember correctly, which is more an essay than a book. While his books are great, his lectures are really awesome. He was a San Francisco hippie buddhist PhD who studied theology then went to Japan to study East Asian philosophies. He has a British accent, so I think he was originally from the UK. He would give lectures on his SF houseboat, where many of the recordings were made. Really interesting person. Good listening when you’re doing busy work/chores…

[@nargozot8043]

Alan Watts was originally an Episcopalian priest iirc, became a huge “hippie” who spread a lot of knowledge publicly to the West about Eastern spirituality. His colleague Eugene Rose went almost the same life path and knew the entire same breadth of all Eastern spirituality as Watts did, but as an Orthodox monk, becoming Heiromonk Seraphim Rose. Christian or secular, I STRONGLY believe both of their wisdom of the Eastern teachings should be read and cherished.

[@denzelcanvasYT]

which lecture

[@CLEAR-hy9dz]

Using walking as a way to get more creativity is really underrated! I have maladaptive daydreaming since i was really young and i instinctively only daydreamed while walking because thats how i could get most imaginative

[@lordbeetrot]

I also get way more creative after coming home from a walk in the forest

[@odysseas__]

Thanks, and that sounds very colourful

[@wr3ck3dd10]

i didn’t know anyone else did this!

[@Stuffmeister-qi2fs]

I find the title hilariously ironic so im definitely gonna watch this

[@odysseas__]

It is now that you mention it, but I promise I don't put words in your mouth.

[@peanbean1973]

My way of Finding the unbeaten path i wanna take.. I really believe in a strong sense of curiosity. You want to keep questioning life. Always ask why. And you'll find Eventually you will ask a question That nobody has answered. That is your original place of discovery! Imagine you Answer that question for yourself.. Then that leads you to ask more questions. And more. Plus when you follow your own curiosity it gives you emotions. Which make you retain what youve learned far more than simply consuming what you feel inclined to chase.

[@SLTYMILK]

Also, as my favorite Bible verse goes: “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” So no need to worry about 100% originality at all

[@odysseas__]

For sure, and good ideas aren't meant to be said once and forgotten.

[@helenkristinakusmarto7537]

I rarely leave comments on videos, but I kind of teared up while watching (which surprised me as well). I picked this video as background noise for studying, but I think it helped me a lot more than I thought it would, and I feel like I've realized a lot of things about myself. I can't explain the feeling precisely, but I'm glad this appeared in my home page

[@odysseas__]

I'm very grateful to hear it, and glad you could reflect -that's important. Best wishes to you.

[@aniaguiraao]

the playlist to study like a medieval philosopher is the realest thing in this video

[@gvynkii]

i havent been on ur chanel in ages and i js came back nearly a year later and ur still producing such high quality content. keep it up 🙏

[@odysseas__]

Thanks, I'm super grateful you think so

[@mavis1532]

And that's really awesome because we're figuring out, like studying and analysing, how our brains creativity work, and that is something that make us humans! We're figuring out our humanity, and what made possible for the ancient people to be so brilliant - they didn't get bombed with information all day all week, and had the time to wise a little, literally living the meaning of "ócio" (idk how that's said in English, it's like a free time you have to simply be with your thoughts). Yesterday I saw a TEDtalk from Jon Jandai named "Life is easy. Why do we make it so hard?", it may be very contributional for this discussion. ❤ Thank so much for uploading this video and sharing your knowledge!! 🙏

[@heroismexplained8197]

I don't need to think originally. I watch a movie, show or read a book, and think that I want to make something like that! I then think about what amuses me the most about the project (it's usually their vibe or themes) and I write something centered around that. If it seems similar to the inspiration, I redo it again and again to the point where it's something different, and the inspiration is no longer the pivot, rather what I've created myself.

[@suryansh9810]

That cup, though... Man's got his priorities straight.

[@odysseas__]

Of course

[@omri10011]

You gotta be one of my favorite youtubers of all time, so insightful and inspiring, thank you!

[@odysseas__]

Thanks, I really appreciate it

[@susannahdijkstra3260]

Love the vibe the lighting gives this, especially compared with the fact that you don't have any music playing in the background. Makes it very relaxing to listen to you. I feel very called out by this. I have the tendency to drown out my thoughts by constant podcasts or music. Not only on my walks, but when I work from home or on my commutes as well. Will start to do that less. Also, Tolkien also borrowed a lot from earlier works.For example, a big part of The Hobbit is basically the third act of Beowulf. Additionally I feel a big part of this video is that you are the sum of the people you surround yourself with ( and it doesn't matter if these people are dead writers). Makes me happy you are one of them!

[@odysseas__]

Kindest words as always, thank you. You're right with Tolkien as well -I was thinking if I was right in saying that but clearly I forgot.

[@WLPeaceJr]

Tolkien and Lewis were known for their strolls. its the way of the thinking man to work his legs through different elements, rain, shine, uphill, downhill. We have become removed from our natural paths and are ingrained in the silicone chips of netflix and youtube. This was an excellent video. thank you!

[@Honoratus.]

Wow! Your video was such a great lesson, I've learned so much. I have been trying to improve my writing and reading skills, working on worldbuilding, and striving to be a unique and authentic person. I wish you a great life, and I hope your channel continues to grow and reach many people. Thank you!

[@megankazembe]

So far my Substack journey has made me realise just how mentally draining being a writer is. It was my first time having my work public and yes people are supportive on the platform but writer jealousy and imposter syndrome is real!!! And very painful. I’m not jealous of their work but not being as successful and having the same community can make a person feel terrible. I think a lot of people think their work is not original because of the lack of success. They think there is nothing special in their work but that’s not true. I think the best thing is to write what you enjoy and what makes you happy, not really trying to impress anyone. What I’ve learnt is the right audience will come who enjoy your story telling and ‘originality’

[@WickedPawn]

I totally agree although I will say my biggest motivation is impressing myself and intrinsically the reason I even want to make this thing is because I can't find it anywhere else and because of that it's more fun to admire the finished product I made and plan accordingly then actually doing the work I.e starting a new page

[@ronjohnson4566]

im a painter and as an adult I traveled to many places to experience the area, its people, food, and ambiance. I read many books, I viewed tons of paintings in real life, I immersed myself in hours of playful study with a variety of artists and artistic styles. I found connections between the arts. dance, music and painting for instance. as a teacher I introduced my students to an idea. filling 3 hats with three different ideas written on paper. the student was to pick one idea from each hate. then take those ideas and create an image. It opened my eyes to see differently and maybe some of my students. creative people, at least in my case, should take a break sometimes and mull the situation over. After a lion devours its prey, it lays down, naps, reflects, and mulls the possibilities over. it says to itself, maybe next time bring the catsup.

[@mukomanjisichilongo8796]

This is an amazing video! I’m a fiction writer currently working on an anthology of short stories and poetry. I specifically related with the bit about ‘living first, creating later’. That’s literally where I’m at in my creative process. Yesterday I went over to a bar close to home. The stories I heard were so amazing and very original. Ergo, inspiration! I always have strange dreams that are hauntingly vivid. Like, I can smell stuff in my dreams. This calls to show that all the inspiration I’ve ever needed finds a way to cook itself within me and then re-present itself to me. It’s mind blowing! Thanks for the video. You have gained a follower. It’d be cool to exchange some ideas some time.🙏🏿

[@Jed_Herne]

Loved this video. You're spot on with everything you've said here. Having published a few fantasy novels, I find that following the combination of my unique interests is the fastest path to finding something fresh and exciting. For instance, one book might take an architectural idea I'm fascinated with (I used to be an architect), along with an interesting magic system I've not seen before (which itself is the combination of several sources of inspiration), and then merge that with the structure of another story I really liked (i.e. a redemption arc). When I started out, my writing felt way more imitative of authors I admired. But like you said here, once you just produce volume, your unique sense of voice will shine through. Keep up the great work with the channel!

[@odysseas__]

Thanks, and that's amazing to hear directly from a writer. When it's your own passion, you truly see the energy in the words. Best wishes with your writing!

[@BeloKipreos]

Enjoyed the video, you are putting into practice exactly what you are preaching, fantastic! I also feel that there are a few other aspects of creativity that are important, at least for me. - Practice -> do the thing often and with intensity. Kobe Bryant/David Goggins/Richard Feynman come to mind here. A mastery of the fundamentals frees up the mind to be more creative. - Feedback from those you trust -> getting real and honest feedback from those you respect and trust helps you really understand how you are really developing. As Feynman states: “The first principle is that you must not fool yourself-and you are the easiest person to fool.”

[@odysseas__]

Thanks, and feedback is such a big one, but as you say, it's only when it has a reliable source. The internet makes that part tricky too.

[@tiyanawilliams5070]

Thank you💜I resonates with what you have expressed within the entire video, and it is basically what I have been telling myself but this was more enforced and refreshing from someone else's perspective to which you mentioned differently approaches to how to develop originally, and how to think and engage. My focus is getting out of my comfort zone more and experiencing more for myself despite my circumstances. I am passionate about writing and visual art and this video is a scintilla for that. It's a learning process to look forward to.

[@odysseas__]

Love to hear that, thank you. Best of luck too.

[@KriticalMA]

Another great video. I have been pondering the question you posed at 13:48 myself recently. Less in a causative sense, but more exploring the linkage between the etymology of the word 'passion' and the idea of suffering, i.e. that the most passionate people, of which we are most familiar with artists due to their work, are those who are suffering most greatly

[@truly_infinite]

i don't really think that's how it is. Suffering is way too broad of a term, as that it could be put almost exclusively on artists. I would argue the starving children in Africa or the victims of violent crime or something like that are suffering the most. I get your point, but I would say artists are just more open about their problems than other people, as expressing feelings, and maybe exaggerating them, is an important part of art. Also, I think we tend to put too much emphasis on suffering artists, due to the stereotype of the suffering, crazy, unhinged, traumatised artist. Most artists are perfectly fine people, and we just don't know about other people with the same condition, because they weren't famous artists.

[@tabularasa1134]

Creativity is an act of self-reflection within the fluid, interconnected fabric of human experience. Authenticity, therefore, does not hinge on what is objectively new but on how deeply one can relate to and express the essential truths within their own existential purpose.

[@leahdegruchy2338]

Thoroughly enjoyed this, thank you 😊

[@CAF7000]

My passtimes are quite technical, when I start thinking about a project, I love just going to a hardware shop and just looking at stuff, maybe a tool I didnt think about, some sort of mechanism I have never seen etc. Its kind of a wide info consumption that separates the projects you do to generic how-to videos. Also I love "everything shops" the coolest ones tend to be in remote villages but they are dying out, seeing all this unrelated stuff in one place sometimes gets ideas flowing

[@chelseyummali]

Great video thank you. I’m a newer writer…well idk how to say that, I’ve written all my life but never thought about it as something that was a part of me until 5 years ago or so and even more so this past couple years. I suffer from imposter syndrome and overthink my writing so much. The originality thing is a big issue as well…and even wondering if your “originality” is even good or something people may like. Or dare I say if that even matters…

[@fashionboysta]

I've been recently been stepping into these creative passions and it has been helping with allowing urself to discover new sources

[@odysseas__]

Good stuff, hope it spirals upwards

[@Kayse_Kay]

Inspiration to explore yourself by being influenced by the world around you or something deep within you

[@liam6312]

My man is truly cooking lately. Thank you for your wisdom

[@odysseas__]

Thanks man, I appreciate it

[@NajebanyHajduk]

Tolkien AND Glukhovsky on your shelf? Mad respect.

[@odysseas__]

Two of the greats

[@infinitelogicmachine8587]

I made a bingo game, I had an idea percolating in my head about probability and how to inspire divergent thought about probability. And it landed!

[@100rapids]

You got no idea how many times i make shit then i realize someone made that shit the day after

[@odysseas__]

It happens a lot, but you can always put a spin on it or improve it. Heck, even Shakespeare ripped off Greek stories in some of his most famous works, but he'd always change them up a lot.

[@bruciesarm]

I was under the impression my artistic flair had expired or something, that maybe I just wasn't cut out for this. I don't remember the time an original idea came to me with all it's authenticity, and I presumed it to be a case of bad luck. I get it now. It's a bad lifestyle. Of course this life I've crafted to be so mundane only results in the most mundane ideas and tbf I'm a little disapointed the revelation took me so many months and a 20 minute video essay off of youtube but at least i've realised !! creating art, here i come

[@scruffydogdave]

Good video. I think we are all creative in our own ways. The hard part is expressing our uniqueness if we want to express it. We all mostly want to conform to society and that inhibits most of us to a large degree. I suggest the book "Art and Fear" by by David Bayles and Ted Orland is worth reading if you want to understand what inhibits creativity. As to creativity, we all recombine our inputs, be that books, videos or experiences. I find that I'm a "digester" of ideas. I read somewhat widely, try to learn about new things and consider new ideas when presented. For lack of a better description, ideas 'cook', in my mind and then they appear. Like ingredients mixing without measure, choice, or effort; ideas seem to find connections to create new ways to bring things together. They appear at unexpected times. Forcing it doesn't seem to really work.

[@user-eg4nj5mw1d]

Your videos are getting better and better. So happy for you. I love your editing style Also, this video is especially helpful for me. ‘Allow time to think’ is definitely what I needed at this point in time. You explained it well with the analogy of muscle growth.

[@mdtjrbh]

This is very inspiring, as if you read my thoughts. I always hesitate, but today I learned that all I need is to talk to the camera, and the rest will find its way later. Keep being awesome, Odysseas!

[@odysseas__]

Thanks man, best of luck to you with your projects

[@mdtjrbh]

@@odysseas__ 🩶

[@Vikingdog]

I love the B roll and A roll in the videos, it's so simple but also so impactful much better then the highly edited stuff nowadays

[@odysseas__]

Thanks, I'm trying to get better at it so this is very reassuring.

[@homosapienssapiens4848]

A wealth of information creates a poverty of attention.

[@odysseas__]

Exactly this

[@Emilia-tj5bn]

Thank you, I've watched a couple of your recent videos and am so grateful for the impact you chose to have on this world. You have beautiful ideas, and you conduct them wonderfully. Thinking, a resource we all have equal access to, yet it seems to be so undesired these days. I'm excited to wake up tomorrow and live a slightly different way - as you've changed me, and all of us really, in some way. Forever. Cheers!

[@odysseas__]

So grateful to hear this, thank you and I wish you all the good things to come.

[@dra1n576]

Man, you're genuinely one of the only people on here from whom I actually learn something. When watching almost all the other content that aims to support and aid people in their journey of learning etc; I feel like it's just stimulation for my brain, which gives me the illusion of having learnt something or having done something of worth. This is not the case with your content. I wish to see much more of you! Greetings from Germany, have a nice weekend!

[@Thekalinga]

just found your channel 4-5 days ago, addicted to your videos, thanks to youtube alogorithm, love u brother, friend, lots of love from INDIA

[@odysseas__]

Cheers, I really appreciate it. Welcome too!

[@REO_Speedweed]

Dude, subbed. The whole time I was watching this, it felt like you made this video specifically for me.

[@odysseas__]

Love to hear that, and welcome!

[@WhereisLauretta]

Great video, I’ve actually been challenging myself to replace content I’ve been consuming with creating way more and only trying to intake quality content for the sake of better ideas. So the YT algorithm worked in my favor yet again - love how you incorporate the ad placement too - very natural with the video topic 🔥

[@odysseas__]

Thank you, and best of luck ahead

[@NarendraKumarsingh-mx1eb]

1. 4:20 Hilarious. 2. Read widely, Read uniquely. 3. You can only cook with whats in the fridge. 4. A professor told me: There are two kinds of people in academia, some read a lot and know everything in a field but never produce anything original. Others dont read anuthing and keep thinking about new ideas and they too dont produce anything original. One has to balance thinking and reading.

[@limbsofosiris3187]

The advice to live an interesting, outgoing life is a dangerously crushing thing to suggest. Many writers (not all, but many), are introverts, and sometimes to a pathological degree. Telling them their withdrawn, quiet lives cannot create original writing is a sure way to discourage huge numbers of writers with great potential; and it's advice a) not heard infrequently by a fair number of writers who are b) very outgoing themselves. Turn it around and consider e.g. Pessoa's Book of Disquiet, in which the protagonist frequently emphasises the richness of his inner life in comparison with the horrors that is external life.

[@odysseas__]

I agree, and I didn't say that. I just emphasised living with intention and being aware of the details around you, like with the coffee shop example.

[@limbsofosiris3187]

@@odysseas__ Fair enough, still good to point out the distinction

[@thwartificer]

It is entirely possible to be an introvert and still live a wide range of experiences, not all of them come from direct social interaction, many things can just be observed

[@thwartificer]

If I understood your definition of "introvert" correctly, the word is kind of used in many different meanings nowadays, so it will be helpful for further discussion if you can provide what you mean by it

[@JayReborn-w3h]

Thank you for making this video I have been struggling with my writing.

[@odysseas__]

Much appreciated

[@lone464]

4:35 move to the hood is crazy

[@pradat6693]

i was taken aback by this example

[@binglebonglebellybarrelbla9071]

​@@pradat6693lol why

[@antimaterialismism]

Finally, someone to tell me how to think originally (someone has definitely already said this joke)

[@ItsMe-sx9ck]

Now a normal guy like me have something new, something worth trying in the world of geniuses. Loved your ideas man. Thank you❤

[@jesustyronechrist2330]

"Originiality" is basically the writers' version of "artstyle". I draw and paint on a level that I could do it professionally. And I see all these young artists or professionals stressing over artstyle. I never got it, because all the advice given about it "just draw, you will develop your artstyle". But it seems vast majority of people don't believe that or can't wait. They want to develop that artstyle NOW. Doesn't matter of their skills or taste, they need to develop it now or else they won't stand out on Instagram's feed and algorhitms. But all they can do is to copy their favorite artists. So... what's the key? There has to be something specific other than "just draw". And there is. Subject matter. Subject matter is basically what makes your artstyle. Even if you have the exact same way of stylization as dozens of other people, you can do something they are not: Drawing different subjects. Right now, doing portraits of pretty Pinterest girls in a neutral expression in a pixar/anime artstyle is the trend. People try to do "their take" on it. And 99% don't get attention and are generic. Once you see 30 different paintings of the same photo, you get really sick of it and just scroll past... But what if there's something else than a pretty Pinterest portrait? What if you draw that pretty Pinterest girl doing an autopsy? Or being a pirate while a cannon ball flies past her head? Or... what if there's another person in the photo?!?!?! 95% of artists seem to be too intimidated to even try drawing two people in the same photo at once. That's too much work for a single picture. And... thus their art is generic. It's lifeless, soulless. It's just pretty pictures. I might want to put it on a wall, but I won't think about it. I won't obsess over it. Not a single modern artist seems to have done that for me with their art alone... Unless we're talking about movies or video games. Not drawing. Not painting. Not writing. Writing. I want you to think about this now from the writers' perspective. What is the key? Subject matter. Almost all the "icks" and "problems" and "pet peeves" and criticism of modern writing boils down to the generic and soulless subject matter. Tropes galore. Mature themes handled with the care of a clocksmith with arthritis. Most heavy handed social commentary that's just about pointing and laughing. Overly complex magic systems. Overly complex science fiction. Overly self-aware. Overly subversive. Brunette white boy twink vampires. Modern writing has a huge subject matter problem. So if you want to stand out, if you want to make something that matters and people will read, it's ALL about the subject matter.

[@LabourOfTheNegative]

All truly wise thoughts have been thought already thousands of times; but to make them truly ours, we must think them over again honestly, until they take root in our personal experience - J.W.V Goethe

[@emtrovert]

Came for the advice and stayed for the deadpan humour. I have the same delivery, but usually it lands like a lead balloon with people.

[@Interestwat2024]

"I am myself,and circumstances'-José Ortega y Gasset

[@alexalvarez1947]

Really the BEST video about this topic that i has seen. Thank you

[@FoxDrinksTea]

your definitely one of my favorite youtubers. love to listen while creating sometimes. i also love your mug lol.

[@odysseas__]

Thank you, really grateful to hear this

[@moiramarques]

Your videos keep getting better and better, content and production-wise.

[@odysseas__]

Thanks, real glad you think so. I'm always looking to improve too.

[@LenaLovesgoodStories]

I would like to expand on your point of "experience more to get input for your writing." I think that's a good point, however, you might also consider whether the life you are living isn't actually more interesting than you give it credit for. Take the following three things of my life as an example: if have a 2 year old daughter, I suffer from chronic pain, I have a father with a severe case of Alzheimer (for which he is far too young). Now I write fantasy. None of these things usually appear in fantasy stories. But why not? In the beginning of this year I decided to write more about what I could personally relate to. So I started this story of a retired soldier who takes care of his father, a once renowned and famous physician, who had a traumatic brain injury and behaves more or less like my father. Then, the soldier is called back into the army leaving him with the decision of what to do with his father. He asks his estranged sister (protagonist 2) for help who has a deep grudge against their father and who is also mum. All this happens within a fantasy story and setting but the emotions and family difficulties are sometimes I can relate to. You decide whether you'd want to read about these conflicts (duty vs family responsibility and familiar love, seeing the person you idolised turn into a helpless child, etc.) but I think they are pretty rarely explored in fantasy. Heroes usually aren't caretakers for instance. So by taking my (mundane and boring) life into my writing I think I'm improving it more than going on a trip to New Zealand or something... Don't compete with the instagrammers is what I'm saying.

[@ExterminatorElite]

Mr. "Everything is a Remix" Kirby Ferguson just came out with a video on creative ideas, itself based on the book "A Technique for Producing Ideas" by James Webb Young, and he makes use of what's called the "BIAS" system: create Boundaries for your project, Ingest a bunch of relevant material, Arrange that material in a way that your brain can really chew on, and then Stop and let your brain do its thing. I think this video is a great complement to that one, as you get into some good practices for ingesting, arranging, and indeed stopping and giving your mind space to generate inspired ideas. As always, great content!

[@Richard-1776]

I’d be happy if people could just plain think. People today are almost “sub-humainly” stupid - no - not almost, that’s exactly what they are. I doubt that will ever undo itself.

[@synth-eticfantasies5683]

Amazing video! One tip for being original from me as an musician is... to not be! Allow me to explain: Sometimes taking already existing ideas and iterating upon them can produce something that while not completely original, it can still be unique. Find a melodic phrase from a song, a chord progression from another, the rhythmic signature of a third track. Put them into the blender that is your mind and you will have something unique! I am a bit eclectic in what music I consume, so my output is a creation unique to me, but clearly inspired by 70's electronic music. When I draw, Images of already existing pieces of art come to my mind, they become a mesh of colors until something, hopefully unique, comes out. Another tip is to approach a common idea from a different perspective. For a story idea, there are hundreds superhero stories, but how many focus on the average people and how they have to cope with the existence of superheroes and supervillains? Maybe it classes with their beliefs? Maybe they feel helpless and hope their town doesn't blow up as a part of a villain's scheme. Maybe they start a cult deifying the super-beings. How about a horror story from the pov of the monster? etc etc The point is: Ideas are all around and how you discover them is a journey unique to every artist!!!

[@odysseas__]

Thanks, and this is so true. Mathematically, there's trillions (and more) different end products you can produce, especially with more complicated domains.

[@AustinJacobs-f4b]

Great advice! I love doing this with music as well. I give myself permission to pull from other work and always end up with something original.

[@kickerich9402]

Ody casually making Videos about 6 core issues in like a month that I've been facing for quite some time now, huge Really appreciate your recent little improvements in editing like the Sims crystal on your forehead or your selfmade B-roll stuff with your writings on paper / a book, it brings a nice touch of originality! (Jordan Peterson is an awful human being in recent times and I dont know if he is a good Individual to take inspiration from.)

[@emmanuel2631]

Juicewrld was an artiste , that had this ability , he could rap and freestyle in details , singing about a wide range of topics , cartoons , TV shows, his emotions, high school experience, teenage days, trauma, mental health, addictions, heartbreaks, his daily activities, his environment etc

[@melodymoroll]

I feel like some writers don´t necessarily need to experience anything out of the ordinary to write well or to find inspiration. If you feel everything deeply, everything is worth writing about.

[@odysseas__]

I agree -that's what I meant with the coffee example. It doesn't have to be spectacular, just with intention behind it.

[@EmanuelHernandez-ps8so]

Love the way you break things down man you have the potential of Jordan Peterson or even higher keep it up man

[@ICLHStudio]

So, this is a really interesting topic to me (admittedly, everything about the general creative process is a really interesting topic to me, among many, many others); and I'm actually going to disagree with a couple of these (not that they aren't good ways to potentially improve your originality, but that I kinda strongly disagree with the necessity of them). Those specifically are the 'read widely' and 'live first' points. Even as a child, when I had basically no life experiences and I consumed notably less media than most people I knew (being a fairly sheltered child); I had no trouble at all being wildly original (sure, most of my ideas had, to some degree, been done before elsewhere; but a huge amount of them were things that I had never seen myself and came up with them almost entirely all on my own). Arguably, much of that originality actually came from having not "read widely", as with so few stories consumed, I had to create by actively drawing out every little detail from my small set of references and spin them into their own original ideas, learning to latch on to tiny and insignificant things only glimpsed at to build new stories or characters or games around, pushing every idea as far as I could take it and then trying to outdo myself and push the next one farther. I think just developing a passion for pushing ideas and playing with their potential is a lot more integral for building originality than most people realize; and will only make you better at harnessing things like life experience and a larger internal library of other art.

[@dailyrepsofficial]

To think originally, we must dare to explore beyond the conventional and embrace our unique perspectives. Challenge norms, question assumptions, and nurture your creativity for it's through this exploration that true innovation emerges.

[@Lordhades-ge6pq]

Man, your videos are really interesting. You explain just like a friend

[@odysseas__]

Thank you, so happy to hear it

[@antoniocarlosrodriguescamp1497]

If you have talent, It doesn't matter the environment .Just excuses to procrastinating or presumptious you are a writer.

[@saidabdulkadirmjahid8255]

Consuming much of other people's craft will cloud yours. Create!

[@odysseas__]

Absolutely

[@VikramS-s9m]

Creative people are not specially troubled or go through special agony but everyone is troubled but we know about that trouble because they are famous every body is troubled but nobody bothers about common unknown people

[@art_seagull]

"If you want to work on your art, work on your life." / Anton Chekhov "Thatʼs the other way of saying that in order to have self-expression, we must first have a self to express." / The Artistʼs Way by Julia Cameron

[@huugosorsselsson4122]

"The progress of an artist is a continual self-sacrifice, a continual extinction of personality." / T. S. Eliot

[@WerdenDeveloper]

Great video! Very informative, i watched the obsidian video and it was marvelous. I use it and its awesome! Thank you for your knowledge!

[@Xen-n2z]

I was eating a salad and then bro started talking about healthy foods, that called me out. Though great advice by the way I found it helpful.

[@_Timzee_]

Very underrated video the concept is powerful

[@Blobbyrainbow10]

Read about the theory of intertextuality This is basically the idea that everything is a transformation or combination of several works before it So even if you are thinking ‘originally’ it’s not really original since it’s trying to not be unoriginal, but that acknowledgement has been thought before and is actively taking some consideration of previous works. So why even care about being original? Just write or make what you want to make, and if it happens to be or seem ‘original’ then cool.

[@r1ptejas]

im glad im watching videos like these at the age of 15

[@odysseas__]

I appreciate it, and I hope you make the best of your potential!

[@louisbarchon9184]

Very good video ! I've also seen that you can really improve your originality by consuming things that are not directly linked to what you want to create : for example, I've been more creative in fantasy writing by reading social science than reading other fantasy novels

[@emekadavid2268]

thanks❤❤❤❤

[@odysseas__]

Much appreciated

[@Chebito710]

Good job Mr. Wigga. I learned nothing but i need to put this shit to use. Thanks

[@odysseas__]

I appreciate you not using the hard r

[@margarid444]

To be creative is to have a creative eye for life experiences. Let your brain rest and consume widely.

[@richardcampbell8685]

Man the exact video I needed. 😂

[@odysseas__]

Cheers man

[@JuliosStudio]

Great video! I think I just need a break from everything I e learned so I can apply it. ❤ good luck on your creative process everyone

[@Tyoxy]

Another great video from you man! Lot of this resonated with me

[@odysseas__]

Thank you, really grateful to hear it

[@dnairrrr]

I love Tim Demoss! Great video!

[@odysseas__]

Thank you

[@ayoub6537]

I loved this video thanks for producing it ❤

[@odysseas__]

I appreciate it, thanks

[@InTYcing1]

6:41 I think you have to be CONSUMED before you create……you must MAKE ROOM to KEEP your Original. It’s about RIDDING in order To be(Tu Be….tube) I love your message 😊

[@sallygoodgirl]

It’s easy, just isolate yourself for days on end and you’ll start to see your true colors!

[@Vanesa-m5d]

nice mug!

[@odysseas__]

Cheers

[@sugoi1789]

really loved this video

[@odysseas__]

Thanks, I appreciate it

[@moisescorral8297]

5:00 Reminds me of how hundreds of people will comment the exact same thing in videos. Makes scrolling the comments boring and a little uncanny.