*TRADITION AND INNOVATION

Is “tried” always true?

One concept that often surfaces in the progressing design of human creativity is the tension between the new and the old. Many view progress, particularly in technology, as a threat to the “essence” of humanity. But let us not forget that the traditions we revere today were once radical ideas that disrupted their timelines.

Critics argue that tools like AI diminish human creativity, claiming they strip us of our intrinsic ability to create. This perspective, however, overlooks a critical point: tools do not replace creators; they empower them. If a tool enhances efficiency or unlocks opportunities previously out of reach, why resist its adoption?

Historically, each leap forward—printing presses, cameras, or computers, all advanced technologies that have been met with skepticism by the public, yet these innovations have expanded the horizons of human potential.

Storytelling: Art and Information

At the heart of this debate is the diverse nature of storytelling. Some artists use storytelling to craft immersive, emotional experiences; journalists tell stories of information and truth. Both approaches serve the broader goal of writing but address entirely different purposes.

To insist that a tool designed to help people convey information should adhere to the slower, intricate processes favored by artists is shortsighted. Creativity should never feel confined to someone else’s standards.

True innovation and expression thrive when individuals can choose how best to tell their story, whether it is a poem, a report, or a novel.

Presentation of Information

A significant issue arises in how we approach information itself. People often focus more on how information is presented, whether in a book, through an AI like ChatGPT, or other mediums, than on their ability to process and respond to it.

If you trust how you feel about the information you engage with, it does not matter where it comes from if you’ve done your research. Understanding and reflecting on what you consume is far more critical than how it is delivered. Without this introspection, learning becomes shallow and fleeting.

Tools as Steppingstones

Take the role of AI in the arts, for example. It will not transform an average person into an acclaimed author or an extraordinary artist overnight. However, for creators facing financial or logistical barriers, it offers a way to streamline production and focus on the heart of their work.

Dismissing this as inferior or “inauthentic” undermines the struggles of those who use such tools to overcome systemic stagnation. There is an ironic vanity in clinging to traditional methods simply because they demand more labor. There is value in the effort, but the effort for its own sake is not inherently superior.

The idea that new methods “cheapen” the creative process dismisses the ultimate goal of creation: to express, connect, and innovate. Why should one be bound by someone else’s route when they can chart their path more effectively?

Truth Is

Technology, including AI, is not a definitive answer; it is a steppingstone. The true work lies in maintaining curiosity and critical thinking, whether you have arrived at an idea through manual research or computational aid. Tools do not diminish our role as creators; instead, they expand it.

These tools serve as bridges, helping us explore ideas faster and more precisely. For those who romanticize the past and decry technological assistance, it is worth reflecting on: Are we truly losing the essence of creativity or simply adapting to it?

The foundation of creativity is not in dated methods but in the act of creation itself. Each generation builds its own systems, integrating the old with the new to create something uniquely theirs.

JAH