The Crisis of Creativity, a Call for Completion in the Arts and Content Creation.

Once upon a time, art was seen as essential.

It was a craft, a trade like any other, with a clear goal of mastery, but somewhere along the way, something changed.

The arts began to shift, no longer a disciplined craft that demanded efficiency and completion,

but rather a leisurely pursuit, something to be indulged. a how art evolved from being a skilled profession to becoming for many a hobby or pastime.

At some point in the 20th century the arts became something non-essential, a luxury, something that

could take as long as the artist wanted because, after all, art was about

expression, not about deadlines or productivity. This attitude has persisted for decades,

particularly during the second half of the 20th century

when the Puritan work ethic had embedded itself firmly in American culture.

While the rest of society focused on how to get things done, build systems, create products,

and move things forward at an ever-accelerating pace, the arts remained a slow subjective field

where perfectionism and expressionism reigns supreme.

This contrast can be seen most clearly in the rise of the trades.

Take for instance the plumber, the electrician, or the builder, those who work with their hands to fix,

create, or maintain something tangible.

Their work is grounded in a clear objective.

Something must be completed, fixed, or built within a certain time frame.

There's a goal, an expected outcome, and a speed that comes with experience.

When a plumber comes into your home to fix a leaking pipe,

you expect them to finish the job within hours or a day at most.

The plumber's knowledge, experience, and understanding of the task give them the ability to apply what they know to get things done.

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