How to tap into emotions and creativity? Irrationality?

Question

It seems like there are two types of brilliant people out there: the dreamers and the realists.

The realists can perfect tasks by being given a set of criteria to work toward. They look at things objectively, and tend to look for 'correct' solutions according to others' invented guidelines. The dreamers come up with the criteria. They follow no guidelines but their emotions, and are less concerned with pleasing others.

Maybe I'm biased here, but it seems like a dreamer can easily espouse realist attributes by forcing an external view on their actions- ie "what would other people think of this?"

But what can a realist do to become more emotion-driven? Besides abuse recreational drugs.

#1: How do you become passionate about one particular thing if you are completely rational and objective? Your anecdote is swell, but doesn't really get to the heart of the issue here.

#2: No, I am not talking about introverts vs extroverts. There are plenty of introverts who are creative or not creative, and there are plenty of extroverts who are creative or not creative.

Answer 1

Have you ever heard of "Image Streaming"? Kids use it in English class to help with "writer's block". Some artists use it when they are stuck in developing a project. Project managers do it when their engineers can't get around a structural problem.

A Short Version Of Basic Imagine Streaming
Summary of the Image Streaming process from: The Einstein Factor:

"The procedure of Image Streaming is deceptively simple. You sit back in a comfortable chair, close your eyes, and describe aloud the flow of mental images through your mind."

This is a direct quote from this site: http://silviahartmann.com/creativity-technique-image-streaming.php

It lists the three steps in image streaming. Acutally this is the easy part. The hard part comes when you have to write out everything you recorded. I have found that guys are generally really good at visualization.

The writing out of everything can be a drag, but, in the writing images continue to flow. The first session can be agony, the second a bit better and the third session can really open up the creative flow.

Here are some other sites:
http://www.geniusbydesign.com/mattdocs/isother50.html Has general information and ideas.
http://silviahartmann.com/nlp-metallica-creativity-technique.php How metalica REALLY works on their music.
http://www.geniusbydesign.com/reviews/movies.shtml Genius by Design has a listing of the most creative movies that get across the idea of creativity. Look at how the characters delt with various situations.

Hope this helps get the creative juices flowing and good luck.

Answer 2

I think that the person who is able to create or perfect something that someone else dreams up must necessarily be an expert in that particular field.

Most people are now experts in very narrow bands of influence, so, in order for a realist to become a dreamer, he needs to apply his expertise outside his chosen field.

For example, a pure mathematician, who is mostly a realist who builds on and improves the concepts and thoughts of others, might be very creative if he is allowed to express his ideas about an innovative architectural concept that will rely on renewable energy.

Get a realist outside his area of expertise and he can become very creative.

I have to say that I think all brilliant people have a pragmatic side and a creative side. They just need to be given the opportunity to express themselves.

Answer 3

I consider myself a realist, and I would have to say become an activist. I am also an activist on many levels. Being a realist also means you have an understanding that dreamers do not. A "real" understanding of things and how they work. Use this knowledge to help the greater good of people and causes. It is a beautiful thing to have passion about great causes such as our planet! Good luck!

Answer 4

Realists can also have deep emotions, but I suppose objectivity overcomes them. Being a dreamer is nice...perhaps the two-realist and dreamer- mingle...Answering one question I am a realist and answering another I am a dreamer. It depends on the question.

Answer 5

Basicly we have two types of personality here.

We have extroverts and introverts.

Introverts think deeply about a social situation and are very good at coming up with ideas and how they wold work in reality.

Extroverts are more outgoing and friendly but are more adept with social skills to carry out the ideas of the introvert.

The two groups can work very well with each other and provide excellent work together.

We really do need the two types of personality and there is no necessity to change either of them.