In Western culture there’s a lot of momentum in the direction of consuming things rather than creating or making things.
Consumption makes the world go ’round, but somebody’s got to make the stuff we consume, right?
At Thoughtwrestling, we think that while consumption is an important part of life, creating things and adding to our cultural ecosystems is far more important.
We can stuff our faces, bodies, minds, and spirits with the latest and greatest food, drink, television, movies, novels, gossip rags, technology, or possessions. That certainly does help the world go around and it’s fun, at least for awhile. Or we can sweat, toil, thoughtwrestle, and use our cognitive surplus to create works of art that benefit people other than ourselves.
In that spirit, here are ten reasons why it’s better to create than consume:
- Creation offers a chance for immortality; consumption highlights your mortality.
- Some things are better said than left unsaid.
- Do you really have anything better to do with your time?
- Consumption is a zero-sum game; making things allows you to break that cycle.
- Someone else might need to experience the things that you create.
- Making things is the path to self-actualization – it provides a sense of accomplishment.
- If all the world’s a stage, then it needs actors and actresses!
- It’s a great way to differentiate yourself from Homer Simpson and Peter Griffin.
- It’s a wonderful thing to make people smile; sometimes it’s a beautiful thing to make them cry. Isn’t it better to do those things by making something than by consuming someone else’s stuff?
- You just might find love, happiness, and satisfaction by making something; this is a more satisfying way of getting those things than stuffing your mouth full of Twinkies and beer. You’re less likely to fart or burp, too.
So, what’s reason 11? Or do you disagree with anything I’ve written above?
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Wonderful post but I disagree with itme 1. To me, we need to be reminded all the time of our mortality. It’s that reminder that makes us want to create. I think consuming is our way of escaping from a more “real” world.
Interesting point, John. My point of view was that by purely being a consumer you don’t leave anything behind to give back to the world, except, well, excrement.
Off the top of my head I’d ask, would you rather live in someone else’s view of the world or your own? Creation is your interpretation, not someone else’s. What you create is who you are; what you consume is what other’s are. I’d rather be me, despite the downside of that.
That’s a different twist on it as well, Bill.
Wow.
Congratulations on a great blog. This blog post was just what the Dr. ordered. Even the comments are great.
I am quitting Facebook for this reason next month. Personally, I need to grow and I can’t keep consuming other’s concepts, memes, posted concepts, posted memes, etc. You get the idea.
I need to create my own identity. I am going to work on doing that, without the noise from Facebook.
Nothing against those that want to consume, but I need a change and too much consumption is making me feel blah. Making me feel….ill.
Thanks again, I’m going to subscribe via RSS….to consume!!
” It’s a Madhouse…A MAD-HOUSE… ” ~ Charlton Heston, Planet of the Apes
Thanks for stopping by, Harold, and good luck with your quest! Turn your cognitive surplus into gold!