Is The Internet Killing Creative Potential?

Glad to be featuring a post Rupali John on The Frangipani Creative again today discussing a very debatable topic : Is the internet killing creative potential?

Is The Internet Killing Creative Potential?

The internet, right since its inception, has been among the most amazing modern inventions of our time. We have access to an unsurmountable measure of information at just the click of a mouse.

But what is that easy access to information doing to our creative abilities? Many people claim that the internet isn’t all that great because they feel it’s making us lazy and void of originality.

In fact, most of them are even convinced that the internet has decreased the creativity of students who plagiarize content and pass them off as original assignments. Not all of them do this, of course.

The debate between creativity and internet has been long ranging with multiple advocates on either side. But is the internet curbing creativity? Before we can come to any kind of a conclusion, let’s take a look at both sides of the coin.

How the Internet has Destroyed Creativity

The argument that the internet is debilitating people’s creative abilities is a strong one and there are quite a few solid points put forth by those that hold this view. Some of these points may even convince those on the opposite side to change their minds.

To begin to understand why most people see the internet as an enemy to their creativity, let’s examine some of the most popular claims made by them on the issue.

• Spoon-feeding: – One of the most popular reasons why people believe the internet is a hindrance to their creative genes is the easy access to a myriad of information. They believe this makes people less motivated to come up with new ideas and rather just stick to “inspired” ones, thereby, resulting in loss of original artistic content.
• Unverifiable sources: – Another valid reason for this popular belief is the fact that most of the information you find on the internet cannot be relied upon. This is because much of it is just stuff that’s been posted by inexperienced commoners claiming to be experts. Using information that hasn’t been authenticated can lead to damaging consequences.
• Prone to short cuts: – Supporters of the argument that the internet is harming one’s individuality state that people tend to rely too much on it to solve their problems. They claim that most people look toward the internet for easy solutions to even simple problems rather than racking their brains for it. This “short cut” way of doing things is a serious threat to our thinking capacity.
• People-pleasing attitude: – The contention that the internet is killing your creativity is made stronger by the compelling point that many artists have turned crowd-pleasers. They are seemingly more worried about public opinion of their creativity than creating something truly unique. There is very little out-of-the-box thinking going on these days.

Playing the Devil’s Advocate: Why the Internet is NOT a Threat to Creativity

Having looked at some very valid reasons why people believe the internet is not such a boon we all think it to be, let’s for a moment study the other side of the argument as well.

There are as many, if not more, supporters on this side of the debate in the creativity VS the internet saga as well. And many of them have reasonable points to make. Let’s quickly examine what makes a section of people believe that the internet is not a threat to their creative skills.

• Multiple points of references: – The people who answer “no” to the question “Is the internet curbing creativity?” make the point that there is a myriad of information out there that can be used to create something amazing. They have no issues in using varied reference points to make something new – whether it’s a painting, a piece of writing, or a delectable dish inspired by various original ones.
• Diverse viewpoints: – When you are unable to make up your mind about something important, it helps to refer through different vantage points on the subject. And what better place than the internet to find them!
• Saves time: – Students argue that researching about various subjects online helps them to complete complicated assignments on time. Also, they make the valid point that most of the subject matter found on the internet has been put there by different people for the sole purpose of being useful to somebody else.

What do You Believe to be True?

When you go through both sides of the argument, you realize that there is no simple answer to the query “is the internet curbing creativity”. Some very strong and valid points have been made by supporters on either side of the ‘creativity and internet’ debate.

It cannot be denied that we need the internet in this technological era. In fact, we are relying on it more and more every day. It won’t be far from the truth to call it a basic necessity these days.

But what we must keep in mind is that no matter how much we depend upon the internet, we mustn’t lost our identity. We mustn’t fall prey to herd mentality and lose our creative spark. After all, our individuality is what makes us who we are.

What are your thoughts on it?