in the words of stephan.
what directs the human mind away from stagnancy and toward innovation?
why do we identify with human interest stories about handicapped, blind, idiot-savants who play piano, and lost hikers rescued in the snow who survived solely on ingenuity, string, and the carcass of a caribou? why do scientists who find cures, and actors who tell stories inspire us to think bigger? what challenges and motivates us beyond the mundane, safe half-life, to live beyond our capacity for self-preservation, and to explore, dream, hope, and grow into risky, open, free-thinking people?
there is something within us that connects us with this purpose beyond existence and the automaton way of insignificance. we are all imprinted with the desire to create something out of nothing. we all want to discover an answer through imaginative skill, to express a new idea, set a higher limit, leave a resounding legacy. it is through this creative portal that we find solidarity, where we unite our interests, purposes and sympathies to change what is stuck, to challenge what is stayed, to renew what is stale, and to ultimately alter the way of humanity forever.
large or small, every contribution on the creative front is a blow at ignorance, an affront to institutional control, an attack on soul-less tradition, and a declaration of independence from fear. from macaroni art to masterpiece, from medicine to mariachi, this participation is a responsibility but also a joy.
our challenge is to live far beyond the borders of what is considered safe and normal, and to find crazy, original solutions to complex, ugly problems….together.