Is technology limiting creativity? 9 reasons Why it’s actually enhancing creativity
It may seem like a paradox, but the rise of technology has actually enhanced our creativity as well as made it easier to express. The worldwide web, mobile app stores, and promotional tools such as Facebook and Twitter have all allowed us to create an unprecedented amount of art and culture that would have been impossible just ten years ago.
For some reason, many believe that technology has been limiting creativity. By all means, there are exceptions to the rule, but these aren‘t very frequent. A lot of times we see people complaining about some trivial aspect of technology causing them a great deal of trouble while overlooking the sheer amount of good that has come from it.
9 Reasons why technology is enhancing creativity.
This article will explore nine ways that technology has actually enhanced creativity and brought us unimaginable benefits:
1. YouTube allows everyone to be a creator:
It’s no longer only possible for big companies and celebrities to make videos. With a webcam and an Internet connection, anyone can become a video star. YouTube has brought people together from all over the world and created a space where anyone with a good story can get it out in front of the whole world.
2. Social media is a launching pad:
Social media has created a place for individuals to share their creations more easily than ever before. It’s also a major platform for artists to promote their work and find new audiences, making it much easier to reach those who will enjoy their creations.
3. Everyone is a creator:
Art has become so accessible to everyone that all kinds of artists are able to make their work available to a wider audience than ever before, whether they’re talented amateurs or professionals. The ability to find and share artwork has also brought something very important in our lives: the idea that every single person is capable of expressing themselves artistically in some way.
4. Greater participation is easier:
The Internet has allowed people of all ages and with all kinds of skill levels to participate in the arts. One example is a community called Threadless, which allows anyone to submit their designs for T-shirts and other products. Each week a few designs are selected by the community, with a portion of the proceeds going to the designer. Not only that, but many artists have gained global recognition because of it.
5. Creativity flows more freely:
More people are able to express themselves creatively than ever before, and it’s easier than ever before for others to tap into their inspiration. People use websites like Tumblr and Pinterest for sharing their ideas and inspiration with a worldwide audience, whether they’re artists or not.
6. Video games create art that reflects real life:
Games can be an incredible tool for learning about the world, but they can also be used as tools for expression. Many games have artistic qualities that can be traced to their creators’ real-world influences.
7. Outsourcing creativity:
Some of the most creative work that can be done is being outsourced to companies around the world. Companies like Disney, Pixar, and Valve are all able to produce a large amount of entertainment that would be impossible for a single company to do alone. Much of this innovative work is done by peripheral companies such as game developers and web designers, which aren’t always credited properly for their contributions.
8. Tools for faster, more efficient creation:
The rise of technology has allowed people to create in ways that were previously impossible. For example, the ability to order custom-made clothing has opened up a new world of possibility for expressing creativity. People can now create their own fashion at a fraction of the cost found elsewhere, whether they’re skilled or not.
9. Accidents become art:
Many artists use their technological mishaps to make things that are interesting and sometimes beautiful. Coming up with a unique idea can be difficult and time-consuming in itself. By using something as simple as a power drill, some artists have been able to invent new forms of art.
How technology can impact creativity.
While we believe technology has been a positive to the world of creativity. It’s worth noting some of the aspects of modern technology and how they may have stimied some individuals into bad habits. But alas this in on the individual, not the technology.
As the saying goes it’s how you use it that determines its positive.
1. Social media addiction:
Some people have become addicted to social media, and it’s keeping them from naturally expressing themselves in other ways. It’s easy to get caught up in the hype of popular social media websites. Becoming obsessed with keeping up with others limits creativity because it diverts our attention away from more important things.
2. Preoccupation with technology:
People have started letting their technology do too much for them, and they don’t take time to create on their own anymore. Instead of making new things, they’re consuming other people’s work. Without taking time to create things on their own, they won’t be able to develop the kind of ability that can help them express themselves creatively.
3. Streaming music and entertainment:
People are losing creativity by spending too much time watching videos and listening to music from streaming websites without doing much of anything in return. While it can be fun to use technology for entertainment, too much time spent online can limit opportunities for more creative outlets.
4. Imitation and plagiarism:
The Internet has created a fear of originality, which can lead people to copy others’ work without giving them credit. Plagiarizing or stealing someone else’s ideas is disrespectful and doesn’t create anything new. It just takes creativity from someone else instead of creating something new on your own.
5. Impact of online shopping and fast fashion:
People have become so used to online shopping that they don’t take time to make things anymore. They don’t learn how to work with their hands, which could help them become more creative in other areas. The internet has also made it easy for people to shop for clothes without going anywhere, but this makes them less likely to create their own clothing designs.
Tips on how to effectively use technology to enhance your creativity.
We’ve removed the stigma and addressed some concerns. Now let the power of technology help you form new ideas.
1. Be inspired by others creativity:
You can’t be creative if you don’t feel inspired, and you can’t inspire others if you don’t share your creativity with them.
2. Avoid technology overuse:
Just because something is available to us doesn’t mean we should use it all the time. Technology overuse could cause us to become habituated to a certain kind of outlet (e.g. facebook, twitter, Instagram).
3. Take some time to create things yourself:
Do you have any ideas that you don’t want to share before time? Do you have the creative energy inside of you that could be released into the world if only you had the opportunity to use it?
4. Use technology for communication purposes:
If we promise to respond promptly, then we should always be responding promptly on time. The same goes for online conversations. Take the extra 10 minutes needed to communicate with someone in real life rather than sending a text or email.
5. Learn something new, and experience it for yourself:
The internet is great for learning new things, but try to always experience it for yourself. For example, if you’re learning how to play the guitar, there’s no need to watch video tutorials. Just go out and get a guitar and play it!
So what are we waiting for?
Let’s start working on ideas now! But let’s do it offline. You’re more creative than you give yourself credit for. If you think you need to be better about it, try setting a goal and doing one thing differently each day. If you don’t notice a difference in your creativity at first, try working with a friend. The most effective ways to improve take time and effort, but if we’ve been getting things wrong all along—then it’s worth the ups and downs of figuring it out on our own.
If you’re interested in learning more about the creative mindset, check out our free guide on how to develop a creative mindset.
