What's in a Tangent?
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I speak in tangents. I think in tangents. I explore in tangents.
For me tangents are a deviation. An alley. A detour. A time skip. It's a rebellion to both the linear and the common.
They make me pause. They bring awareness. They take me to places, both in my mind and the external world, I would have never expected.
Tangents don't need to bring about epiphanies. They can simply be delightful, insightful, or useful.
I'm not sure why I identify with tangents so much, or why they feel natural to me. Perhaps it's curse of being curious about everything, everywhere, all at once.
But my love for tangents serves a higher purpose, I think. Tangents are a way to hone our "creative antennae," to open ourselves to the world and let ideas flow through us. Tangents are the firewood for the ember creative expression.
I'm coming around to a theory. It goes like this (*ahem*):
"Creative expression is the most empowering act we have as humans. It builds confidence. It builds resilience. It gives us a why in a world of whats. Helping people find their maximum creative expression is one of the most profound ways I can influence the world."
I don't know. Still thinking about this idea and hashing out the platitudes (e.g. What does "creative expression" really mean?)
Key to creative expression is opening ourselves up to seeing the world in a more intentional and present way. I'll let Rick Rubin put it in better words:
We are all artists. We just don't know it yet. And we have the chance to be great artists if we dare notice what others don't, if we find the beauty/interesting in the mundane. We can be great artists if we choose to go on a tangent.
This is my commitment to you: Reading this will bring insight, joy, and help you find the beauty/interesting in the mundane.
If I do this well, you'll get all three at the same time.
I will continue experimenting with the format and content to honor this promise.
If at any point you decide that this is just not your vibe, please unsubscribe. We are already drowned in information and stimuli, I don't want to make you feel bloated.
Thank you for choosing to go on tangents.