Normally, you only take words from the library. So, I decided to do something a bit deviant, and decided to give words instead. This I decided to do by placing small notes of encouragement in the books I am returning to the library this week, and hopefully someone, whether it's a librarian or another avid reader, will discover it and find a little bit of happiness, excitement, or inspiration. As I am returning books from the Young Adult section, it is likely that these recipients will be teenagers. This is a good thing, because teenagers tend to be insecure, depressed, moody, bored, etc. and in need of a little change or surprise in their day. Mysterious things as such don't only happen in books!
It is in the footsteps in Jesus the Deviant (to the extent possible) because it is an effort to show love to strangers, people I haven't even seen before and probably never will. They too are my neighbors, and I am called to love them without judgement. These notes might also be encouraging to the readers, and who knows what a single kind word can do. Perhaps it will inspire them to show love to those around them, following (whether they know it or not) in the footsteps of Jesus the Deviant.
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
How does deviance relate to creativity?
In order to be deviant, creativity is necessary. By definition, deviance is the recognized violation of cultural norms. And, as we live in our own cultures, it can be hard to see beyond our own norms. It takes creativity to discover what lies out there, think up something new, and to act upon it. The opposite is true as well—without deviance, creativity is meaningless. The only way to be creative, to create something new, is to be different than others, thus, deviating. In "Hierarchies and Creative Deviance" David Bukus also draws this parallel, writing, "We all get stuck in particular views of the world or opinions on how it ought to be. It’s not different in creativity. In a fast moving world, creativity requires an open-mindedness and willingness to examine new ideas." He, however, in this article, focuses also on creativity in relation to hierarchy, and shows how deviance can be necessary for creativity to force itself into these structures for the necessary and beneficial innovation to occur. This concept is somewhat common in workplaces with rigorous structures, where conformity (and ritualism) leaves no room for creativity (also known as "innovation," one of Merton's forms of deviance in which a deviant person accepts the goals but rejects the means). So, these two things are not only working together in balance to grow, but also depend upon one another to be effective and fully benefit the people in their surrounding.
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Observation Pt. XII
Car-ting around
Long long ago, before automobiles existed, if a cart, covered wagon, or carriage was built people tried to use just enough material that it would function well and not fall apart. Nowadays, each new generation of the iPhone or iPad that comes out is lighter and (sometimes) smaller, becoming more and more efficient. And that's what people look for. Despite these things, for some reason, when looking for a new car, people often want the bigger car with more wheels and metal than is necessary for it to function and keep the passengers safe, wasting resources rather than becoming more efficient. How strange is that?
Photographs
I find it strange how we put (life sized) photographs of the heads of our loved ones in our offices, rooms, etc.Why just the head? Do we only care about people's heads? Why not put a life-sized full body picture in their offices? Or at least a picture of their feet? Aren't feet just as important as the smile?
Redemption
Last year, I spent some time fighting for Classic Lit/Shakespeare to be a class. When this failed, it was disappointing, and I had to fill my schedule with something else. I had some friends who'd taken Bible Leadership and said it was pretty good, and as that was one of the only 4th period options I had, I decided to put it in my schedule for the time being. I never ended up switching it out for something else, and it ended up being a huge blessing to me. Something good came out of something disappointing.
Long long ago, before automobiles existed, if a cart, covered wagon, or carriage was built people tried to use just enough material that it would function well and not fall apart. Nowadays, each new generation of the iPhone or iPad that comes out is lighter and (sometimes) smaller, becoming more and more efficient. And that's what people look for. Despite these things, for some reason, when looking for a new car, people often want the bigger car with more wheels and metal than is necessary for it to function and keep the passengers safe, wasting resources rather than becoming more efficient. How strange is that?
Photographs
I find it strange how we put (life sized) photographs of the heads of our loved ones in our offices, rooms, etc.Why just the head? Do we only care about people's heads? Why not put a life-sized full body picture in their offices? Or at least a picture of their feet? Aren't feet just as important as the smile?
Redemption
Last year, I spent some time fighting for Classic Lit/Shakespeare to be a class. When this failed, it was disappointing, and I had to fill my schedule with something else. I had some friends who'd taken Bible Leadership and said it was pretty good, and as that was one of the only 4th period options I had, I decided to put it in my schedule for the time being. I never ended up switching it out for something else, and it ended up being a huge blessing to me. Something good came out of something disappointing.
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