How does the story of Icarus apply to our fear of failure and self-imposed limits? How have famous personalities like David Byrne, Peter Gabriel, and Steve Pressfield navigated the fears and challenges of creating art? Dive in to explore how making art is essential for innovation, risk-taking, and standing out in the new economy.

The Icarus Deception: How High Will You Fly?

So, why make art? Because you must, and because you can. The story of Icarus is a perfect metaphor for our fear of failure and the limits we impose on ourselves. While we are warned not to fly too high, the forgotten lesson is not to fly too low either. Society has conditioned us to play it safe, but the new economy rewards those who take risks, innovate, and connect.

The comfort zone has shifted, and what felt safe—steady jobs, prestigious colleges—now no longer guarantees security. The real safety lies in art, innovation, and personal connection. Art isn't confined to paintings or sculptures; it's the unique work that touches others, whether you're a painter, a coder, or a customer service rep. 

Quality and competence are abundant, but what’s scarce is trust, connection, and surprise. These are the new currencies in our connection economy, where creating and sharing new, real, and important work is essential. The industrial economy valued coherence and predictability, but art thrives in messiness and risk.

The challenge is to align your comfort zone with the new safety zone, which involves creating change and taking risks. Art requires bravery and a willingness to challenge the status quo. It's not about being traditionally "artistic" but about making a difference and connecting with others.

Courage now means speaking your truth and owning your story. And remember, art isn’t art until it connects with someone. So, ship your work, make a ruckus, and leave a legacy. The economy no longer rewards mere compliance; it rewards those who stand out and initiate. Take the leap, and see where your wings can take you.

Is Your Fear of Failure Holding Back Your Inner Icarus?

The world is shifting from the industrial age to a new era—the connection economy. In a small Harvard lab, “cruft” became a term for outdated clutter, reminding us that revolutions can overwhelm us with junk. 

The key to progress lies in leaving behind what no longer serves us. As the industrial age fades, it leaves behind a legacy of standardization, conformity, and a safety zone built on sameness. But the connection economy is knocking, offering a chance to redefine success, prioritize art, and embrace the emotional labor of human connection.

David McClelland's research in 1959 highlighted that cultures thrive when they value achievement motives. It's not the climate or race that leads to growth, but a cultural imperative to create and move forward. The connection economy prizes creativity, not compliance, urging us to dream big and challenge the status quo. Now, it's not about climbing corporate ladders or fitting into predefined roles but about making meaningful connections and creating art that resonates.

The opportunity lies in saying "go," in choosing to connect, to innovate, and to lead with humanity. As the connection economy grows, it thrives on trust, permission, remarkability, leadership, and stories that spread. These assets are born from the courage to create and the willingness to lead, not from fitting into a mold.

This era calls for emotional labor—the courage to take risks, to face vulnerability, and to connect deeply with others. It's about asking who we want our customers to become, embracing the artist within, and making connections that matter. It's a world where bravery is taught, where art is personal, untested, and intended to connect.

The connection economy is abundant with choice and connection, not scarcity. It's an opportunity to deliver more for more, to be irreplaceable, and to create art that changes the world. As we stand at the threshold of this revolution, the choice is ours: to pick ourselves, to connect, and to create art that lasts beyond applause.

Embrace the Connection Revolution

Myths and dreams come from the same place, says Joseph Campbell. They reflect our best and worst selves, wearing the cloaks of legendary figures. Myths come from cottages, castles, and cathedrals, shaping society's values and identities. In modern times, myths evolved with new power sources like corporations, creating stories of fitting in and obedience.

Propaganda, unlike myths, is about compliance and benefits the powerful. It changes cultures, as seen in British-controlled India, creating stories of subservience. Popular culture, driven by mercantilism, imperialism, and capitalism, promotes fitting in and obedience. This propaganda seeps into our lives, urging us to follow the system and avoid hubris.

To challenge this, we must embrace art and hubris. Art requires commitment, vulnerability, and the willingness to connect. It’s about creating something meaningful, not just following instructions. We need habits that foster creativity and boldness. The impresario, an organizer of art, thrives in the connection economy, making magic with what's available.

Our worldviews shape our actions. The industrialist seeks safety and gradual improvements, while the artist looks for opportunities to change and make an impact. We need to adopt the artist's perspective, seeing the world as a series of projects and connections.

The new work requires us to start something, figure it out, and take risks. We need to embrace our humanity and godlike potential, striving for kamiwaza—performing with purity and initiative. This journey involves creating tension and accepting that "this might not work," but it’s worth it for the joy of making art and connecting with others.

Ultimately, it’s about choosing between being a linchpin or a cog, doing art or just a job. The choice is ours, and embracing it can lead to a life of creativity and impact.

Is Joseph Campbell's Vision of Myths the Key to Unleashing Our Creative Potential?

In a world where efficiency reigns supreme, grit is often seen as a nuisance, something to be eradicated from the finely tuned machinery of our lives and industries. Yet, it is precisely this grit that holds the potential to reshape our future, to challenge the short-term compromises of industrialism, and to infuse our endeavors with passion and integrity.

Take the assembly-line worker who dares to point out inefficiencies or the college professor who speaks up despite potential backlash. These individuals embody grit—they resist external control, motivation, and approval, choosing instead to pursue their goals with tenacity and resilience. 

Angela Duckworth and other psychologists have identified key elements of grit: perseverance, hardiness, resilience, ambition, and commitment. They show us that grit involves more than just enduring; it’s about transforming challenges into opportunities for growth and staying committed to long-term goals despite constant feedback.

Consider Michael Lewis, who found his passion for writing while working on a thesis at Princeton. It wasn’t the content that mattered, but the way he became engrossed in his work, experiencing a state of flow where everything else faded away. This immersion is a hallmark of grit, where true engagement and passion drive us forward.

The connection economy demands this kind of grit. It requires us to embrace imperfections and stand out rather than fit in. Organizations that seek true talent must be willing to accept those who bring grit to the table, those who challenge the status quo and drive innovation.

It’s never too late to cultivate grit. By redefining self-control and challenging ingrained habits, we can begin to do the work we’re truly capable of. It’s a gradual process, but one that leads to profound transformation.

Blaming the system for our shortcomings is tempting but ultimately unhelpful. The system is broken, and relying on it is futile. Instead, we must take responsibility for our own paths, embracing the grit that allows us to persevere, innovate, and make a lasting impact.

Angela Duckworth's Grit Revolution: Embrace Imperfection, Ignite Innovation

Superman's vulnerability to kryptonite makes him relatable, highlighting that invulnerability is dull. Organizations often encourage conformity, but artists thrive by seeking disturbing truths and embracing vulnerability. The industrial age promoted safety and compliance, but modern artists create a new safety zone that requires standing out, which can trigger shame.

A speaker once forgot his suit jacket, feeling discomfort without his usual "armor." This vulnerability is crucial for connection, despite the fear of shame. Often, people don't seek solutions but empathy. Shame can paralyze, preventing risks and forward movement. To create impactful art, one must embrace vulnerability without accepting shame.

Historically, shame has been used to enforce conformity. It's a tool wielded by those in power to maintain control. However, shame is a choice. Artists must refuse to accept it, focusing on their connection with their audience. Reviews and comments can be destructive, but artists should shun nonbelievers and focus on their chosen audience.

David Byrne and Peter Gabriel left their successful bands to pursue personal art, demonstrating the importance of following one's passion. The resistance, described by Steve Pressfield, is a natural part of the creative process, signaling that you're on the right track. Embracing this resistance, rather than fighting it, is key to creating meaningful art.

Artists must define their audience and not be swayed by the masses or critics. True art isn't about pleasing everyone but connecting with those who appreciate it. Focus on the audience that matters and ignore the rest. Performance anxiety is unproductive; the work is already done, and reactions belong to the audience, not the artist.

Can Embracing Vulnerability Like Superman Transform Your Creative Journey?

"Make Good Art" by Neil Gaiman is a powerful mantra for anyone feeling stuck or unrecognized. When facing obstacles, Gaiman urges us to create better art and persist despite resistance. 

To become an artist, James Elkins emphasizes three essentials: seeing the world without preconceptions, learning to make art, and embracing a blank slate. Steve Martin exemplified these principles, meticulously refining his craft and remaining original despite challenges.

Ray Bradbury warns against overthinking, advocating for spontaneous creativity. Learning to see things as they are, free from biases, is crucial. Successful figures like Fred Wilson and Clive Davis excelled by recognizing potential others missed.

Noticing details in everyday life can be transformative, as seen in Paco Underhill’s retail observations. Woody Guthrie’s extensive travels and cultural immersion fueled his significant contributions to folk music.

Eliminating preconceptions is vital for true vision. Seth Godin recounts missing the potential of the early web, while others like the founders of Yahoo! capitalized on it. Embracing a beginner’s mindset can lead to breakthroughs.

Creating art requires making and learning continuously. The industrial age discouraged making, but the connection economy thrives on peer-to-peer creation. The key to success is not tools or methods but repeated attempts and learning from failure.

John Carter's failure highlighted the importance of seeing through the audience's eyes. Domain knowledge, while valuable, can also hinder; balance it with fresh perspectives. Original art starts with a blank slate, avoiding derivative work.

To make impactful art, see the world accurately, make with precision, and embrace the blank slate. Don’t fear failure; it’s part of the journey. Commit to your art, detach from outcomes, and focus on the creative process.

Art connects with people. Steve Martin’s success came from his unique approach and relentless refinement. Artists need commitment and support. The journey is about continuous creation, not perfection.

Embrace limits as they foster creativity. Understand that art is impermanent, and that’s its beauty. Keep pushing boundaries, making art that matters, and playing the infinite game for the joy of creation.

In the connection economy, generosity and continuous engagement with your audience are key. Art is about process and connection, not just the end product. Make art because you’re committed to it, not for external validation.

Neil Gaiman's Mantra: Make Good Art and Persist

Making art is essential because it enables innovation, risk-taking, and connection, traits that are highly valued in the new economy. The traditional comfort zones like steady jobs and prestigious colleges no longer guarantee security. Instead, true safety lies in creating and sharing meaningful work that resonates with others.

The industrial economy prioritized predictability and coherence, but today's connection economy values trust, human connection, and the element of surprise. Quality and competence are abundant, but what’s truly scarce and valuable now are these human elements.

Creating art requires bravery and a willingness to challenge the status quo. It’s not about being traditionally artistic but about making a difference and connecting with people. Speaking your truth and owning your story are acts of courage that the new economy rewards.

The connection economy also democratizes opportunity, allowing anyone to reach an audience and make an impact without gatekeepers. This economy rewards those who inspire, connect, and lead with authenticity and originality.

Embracing vulnerability and taking emotional risks are crucial for creating art that matters. The journey involves continuous creation, learning from failure, and maintaining a beginner’s mindset. It’s about making art for the joy of creation and the connections it fosters, not just for external validation.

In essence, the world needs your art. Overcome the fear of producing it, take risks, and see where your wings can take you. Focus on making a meaningful impact through your unique contributions, and remember that true safety lies in this brave, creative journey.

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The Icarus Deception: How High Will You Fly?

Seth Godin

7 Key ideas

16 MINS

4.6 (1.7k)

How does the story of Icarus apply to our fear of failure and self-imposed limits?

How have famous personalities like David Byrne, Peter Gabriel, and Steve Pressfield navigated the fears and challenges of creating art?

Dive in to explore how making art is essential for innovation, risk-taking, and standing out in the new economy.

How does the story of Icarus apply to our fear of failure and self-imposed limits?

How have famous personalities like David Byrne, Peter Gabriel, and Steve Pressfield navigated the fears and challenges of creating art?

Dive in to explore how making art is essential for innovation, risk-taking, and standing out in the new economy.

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Key Ideas

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