Drugs are bad, mmmkay.
Hmmm.
I have a few friends who basically drink alcohol every weekend. I donā€™t record their habits or anything like that, but from what I can gather from conversation, they also watch a lot of television. These people are very nice and I like hanging around them, but they are not creative or productive people. They are not restless. They are not bored. They use the easy fix, and it is preventing them from doing what I do.
I left this comment:
I’m not sure I agree. I see your point, and it’s perfectly valid, I just don’t agree. For three reasons.
1) First off, and I point you to this discussion for reference: http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/showthread.php?t=204450, and saying that boredom/zapping/drugs kills creativity. I have no doubt that it’s often easier to switch on the telly and crack open a beer rather than getting on with that project you’ve been meaning to do for ages. But what about the people (in that discussion for starters) who swear blind that they’ve come up with their best work when they’ve been out of their tree? We’ve all seen the films where people get smacked up, see the pretty colours and dancing pigs, and all of a sudden they get some inspiration, it all makes sense.
2) Television and beer are only for bored people/you should specifically plan to watch something
I don’t watch a lot of television, I simply don’t have time. But when I do, it’s not always because there’s something I have to see. Sure, a few programs catch my eye which I will watch. But the rest is generally a load of guff. No, I watch TV because I want to be able to “switch off” as it were. Sit down, unwind. Relax. Take my mind off the day I’ve just had. I’ve either had a busy, brain-hurting day at work which I don’t need to think about anymore, or I’ve got in from working in the club and I need something to take my mind off work before bed. In either situation, I need something mind-numbing and easygoing that actually isn’t going to get my creative juices flowing.
3) All TV is uninspiring crap.
For the most-part it is. But how do you know unless you watch it? As a “creative” person, you must be open-minded enough to receive inspiration from any source. Not just walking down the road. Or getting off the bus. The TV, in a similar vain to the Internet, is an excellent source of information on subjects you’re not instinctively interested in. Switching on the TV and finding a program about sperm whales or the mating habits of small African tribespeople, might make you sit up and think “huh”. Might help you see things from a different viewpoint. People who schedule their viewing – “I must watch Eastenders!” – are the boring people, in my book.
Just my 2p.
I drink a lot (every day). I watch some television. I’m productive. There were too many contradictions in the blogpost itself (or with other posts in the same blog) to make any sort of real statement about it, but it seems to me, that those who make excuses about what other people do, who are more concerned with measuring themselves against other people, are the ones who are not fulfilling their potential.
Obviously, the definition of success in this context is critical. I’m certainly not your average, suit-wearing, short back and sides, teetotalling church-goer who is efficient and productive, and says my prayers before bedtime. Heck, I have a skinhead, three piercings, a large tattoo and a motorbike. I also hold down three jobs, have a busy and rewarding social/sporting life and I’m just finishing of my PhD. Do I earn 6 figures or have my name appearing in Time every week? Hell no. Am I successful? I think so. Am I happy? Yes.
I’d prefer to measure my success on the basis of am I a good person. Do I lead a purposeful life, where I can sit in the pub, with my mates, safe in the knowledge that my achievements, whatever they are, are sufficient that me and my mates are having a good time with each other? Sober or otherwise.