11 Comments
May 1, 2023Liked by Annie Murphy Paul

The insights you're providing here seem like they should be obvious (i.e. how we unconsciously find "safe" environments appealing, to simplify what you've said in your post) but they aren't, at least they weren't to me until I read this.

There is an imaginary construct that I've had in mind for a few years which does have a nature (natural) aspect to it. I think of it as the Fields of Awe, kind of a mental space that you could "visit" in search of inspiration, much like you might take a way to be inspired by nature. The imaginary Fields of Awe would be populated by concepts, ideas, examples of art, etc. that might in turn inspire you when you're creatively blocked or needing inspiration. This concept is inspired by the creative techniques of the late magician Stewart James, who created more than 1000 magic tricks or routines during his life. His mental construct was called The Other Place, which I reference in the following post: https://howaboutthis.substack.com/p/a-master-magicians-methods-to-manufacture

Thanks for inspiring some new thinking!

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This is really interesting, Mark—not least because it alludes to the way our minds like to tie abstract ideas to physical places. I love the idea of constructing a mental "Fields of Awe." Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this.

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May 1, 2023Liked by Annie Murphy Paul

Thanks for such lovely food for thought.

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You are welcome, Joyce! I'm so glad you found them to be of interest.

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Wow!!! Thanks for sharing and encouraging the rest of us!!!

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You're welcome, Ann!

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May 1, 2023Liked by Annie Murphy Paul

Bio-Inspired Design is a branch of engineering that I find most fascinating. One of the proponents and practioners of it is Dr. Jacquelyn Nagel, a professor at James Madison University. Check out her website - www.jacquelynnagel.com . Thank you for your always interesting writing, Annie! ~ Mike

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You're welcome, Mike, and thank you for directing me to the work of Jacquelyn Nagel! I will be sure to check it out.

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Hey Annie.

We are trying to reach you for a potential collaboration. We are Biyaku, a sexuality app. You can check our Substack and Instagram below.

https://biyaku.me

https://instagram.com/biyaku.app/

If you are interested at all, mail to mete@biyaku.me please. Love...

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Excellent! We get to the infinant through limitation.

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This is wonderful. Thank you so much for this, so happy I came across your Substack. I am always fascinated by creativity and process. And here with my Polyester City I am just trying to make art that a person might enjoy, heaven knows it’s not something I think I’ll ever make money from. Getting an email or a comment that it in some way brightened someone’s day a bit what it is all about! Subscribing now, thanks again.

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