Module 5: Creative "I" (Variations on a Theme)
James Frye
The inspiration for the song I wrote came from an idea about creativity that struck me rather powerfully in the reading: "Creativity then, is the process of making alterations to, and new combinations with, pre-existing ideas and artifacts, to create something new. It is essentially a way of putting a new spin or twist on that which came before" (Mishra, Henriksen, and the Deep-Play Research Group, 2013). I would consider this to be the "theme" of the article, and have used this idea as the basis for my song. My song, "Almost Limitless," is a rewritten version of "Ironic" by Alanis Morissette that focuses on associating ideas that we are familiar with, with ideas that would not normally be expected outcomes or associations for these more familiar instances. One may suggest that this sounds a lot like irony, ironically, but it is a bit different.
ORIGINAL SONG: Ironic - Alanis Morissette
James Frye
The inspiration for the song I wrote came from an idea about creativity that struck me rather powerfully in the reading: "Creativity then, is the process of making alterations to, and new combinations with, pre-existing ideas and artifacts, to create something new. It is essentially a way of putting a new spin or twist on that which came before" (Mishra, Henriksen, and the Deep-Play Research Group, 2013). I would consider this to be the "theme" of the article, and have used this idea as the basis for my song. My song, "Almost Limitless," is a rewritten version of "Ironic" by Alanis Morissette that focuses on associating ideas that we are familiar with, with ideas that would not normally be expected outcomes or associations for these more familiar instances. One may suggest that this sounds a lot like irony, ironically, but it is a bit different.
ORIGINAL SONG: Ironic - Alanis Morissette
“Almost Limitless” - (NOTE TO PUNYA AND JON: MY AUDIO RECORDING OF MY SINGING THE SONG IS COMING AS SOON AS I AM RECOVERED FROM MY COLD!)
Jamie Frye (Original)
Lyrics (Audio to come!):
It’s the one desert sun in a month of cold evenings
It’s walking ‘cross the stage when no one’s believing
It’s jumping off the cliff when an eagle comes flying
It’s like throwing a stone and bringing down a giant
Close your eyes and see this thing
Walk ‘round circles in your dreams
Put it in your pocket, pull it out from your mind
It’s almost limitless
Almost limitless
It’s the one special fortune from the common teller
It’s like trying to find the reason in an emotional standard
It's like looking upward from the top of the mountain
When what you're looking for is waiting to be beholden
Close your eyes and see this thing
Walk ‘round circles in your dreams
Put it in your pocket, pull it out from your mind
It’s almost limitless
Almost limitless
Altogether separate from what you first thought it was
Immerse yourself in a calculated mistake
It’s a question when a question is the answer
Close your eyes and see this thing
Walk ‘round circles in your dreams
Put it in your pocket, pull it out from your mind
It’s almost limitless
Almost limitless
-----
From this reading this article and writing this poem, I have learned so much about the creative process. More than anything, though, I have learned how important it is to break down and closely analyze life's situations at both home and work. If I associate my Lady Gaga with Puritanism and ask students to discuss, the activity will likely be engaging, thought-provoking, and most definitely creative--and all that it takes is associating two unlike ideas. I am so happy that I finally feel like I am beginning to understand what "creativity" truly is and what it really means, beyond a textbook definition, and I have the profundity of this course, its assignments, and our instructors to thank for that.
Jamie Frye (Original)
Lyrics (Audio to come!):
It’s the one desert sun in a month of cold evenings
It’s walking ‘cross the stage when no one’s believing
It’s jumping off the cliff when an eagle comes flying
It’s like throwing a stone and bringing down a giant
Close your eyes and see this thing
Walk ‘round circles in your dreams
Put it in your pocket, pull it out from your mind
It’s almost limitless
Almost limitless
It’s the one special fortune from the common teller
It’s like trying to find the reason in an emotional standard
It's like looking upward from the top of the mountain
When what you're looking for is waiting to be beholden
Close your eyes and see this thing
Walk ‘round circles in your dreams
Put it in your pocket, pull it out from your mind
It’s almost limitless
Almost limitless
Altogether separate from what you first thought it was
Immerse yourself in a calculated mistake
It’s a question when a question is the answer
Close your eyes and see this thing
Walk ‘round circles in your dreams
Put it in your pocket, pull it out from your mind
It’s almost limitless
Almost limitless
-----
From this reading this article and writing this poem, I have learned so much about the creative process. More than anything, though, I have learned how important it is to break down and closely analyze life's situations at both home and work. If I associate my Lady Gaga with Puritanism and ask students to discuss, the activity will likely be engaging, thought-provoking, and most definitely creative--and all that it takes is associating two unlike ideas. I am so happy that I finally feel like I am beginning to understand what "creativity" truly is and what it really means, beyond a textbook definition, and I have the profundity of this course, its assignments, and our instructors to thank for that.