Myopia of an Illogical Myth
by Pen (Member) - published: July 20, 2011
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Category - Opinions
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For eons there’s been a myth circulating that writers only deliver during bouts of insanity or when they’re in altered states brought on by indulging in their drug of choice.

Poppycock!

I firmly believe that writers don’t need to trip the light fantastic to achieve the nirvana of delivering words that capture transient thoughts which aren’t required for the necessary evils of daily existence. Those who strive to achieve bouts of brilliance by availing themselves of mind enhancers will fail if there’s nothing of value circulating in their brain at the best of times.

In my opinion, those infamous wordsmiths, who were druggies of any ilk, succeeded in spite of their crutches and would probably have been more profound if they’d been unimpaired. I’ll even venture to suggest that these addled icons sought solace because they couldn’t handle the notion that the canyons of their mind naturally contained chasms of creativity.

In my experience, when I’ve indulged in my drug of choice, I’m knocked out of the lyrical loop. When I’m under the influence of painkillers, which are prescribed, my brain takes a holiday and there’s nary a recollection to reflect upon. This is my state currently due to some strained muscles and pulled ligaments due to unwittingly overextending my reach during my self-imposed rock pile detail. This injury happened June 13th [a Monday, not a Friday] after three days of overexertion brought on by a euphoria of feeling energetically fit. I was totally out of commission for a week and then gingerly began flexing my muscles to ensure that my rehabilitation process got underway. I’ve been taking, only when drastically required, Tylenol 3 and muscle relaxants which deliver, for me, a warm and fuzzy glow. I’ve stopped dreaming too and perhaps it’s because, until two weeks ago, I was only able to doze in my rocker and to date, they’re still on a sabbatical.

The one time, about ten years ago, when I tested the theory of intentionally prompting creative juices by toking up on a vagrant roach. When that didn’t deliver I downed two fingers of scotch. The only thing that happened was I slept the afternoon away and awoke feeling mentally muddy.

Therefore, using my own experiences as a logical basis, I’m convinced that nobody requires an elixir to tap one’s natural resources.

------
"Tigers bloom where there's oodles of room." Zodiac Zoo

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Comments

The following comments are for "Myopia of an Illogical Myth"
by Pen

Edgar Allan Poe to
Arthur Conan Doyle to Lewis Carroll to Ernest Hemingway to Charlie Parker to Billie Holiday to Hunter S. Thompson to Jimi Hendrix to John Lennon..I could go on for pages..

Penelope,
It's not that they required their pain killers, alcohol, cocaine, LSD, heroin/opiates, etc..to be creative. I think the fact that they were under the influence of drugs at the time of their creativity merely influenced their art..and what they expressed/wrote about.

Experience represented/offered is influenced by the life experienced.

I can honestly say I could not and would not have penned many pieces [mostly during the late 60's, through the 70's], had it not been for actual "experiences"/activities..These experiences/observations/self-studies have influenced my writing to this day.

I can also say that some of my most prolific periods of writing were at the very least influenced by being under some form of altered influence. {smiling}

I'd say it's an influence on the art, rather than a prerequisite for the art.

Levels/layers, subliminals, parallels, cryptics, micro to macro- all within the same piece..now, that's a natural high. Whether reader can experience/process it, that's another matter.

( Posted by: Bobby7L [Member] On: July 20, 2011 )

mind blowing
I've heard it suggested - often - that these artists were talented because of drugs. I don't agree with that premise and believe, firmly, that they would have shone just as brilliantly without resorting to 'enhancers'. Personally, I'm far more tuned in when I'm in an unaltered state. I can't really call it 'normal' because I've never figured out what that word means. I totally agree that experiences do factor into the creative process but it must be remembered to be delivered. I can remember the 'high' times and what was happening [usually] but it didn't add to my abilities to express myself.

( Posted by: Pen [Member] On: July 20, 2011 )

Jimi Hendrix
was not talented because of LSD, opiates and/or heroin.

His art reflected those experiences- and was, without a doubt, influenced by them.

Some artists are like a candle, burning at each end- lit in middle. Jimi was one.

( Posted by: Bobby7L [Member] On: July 20, 2011 )

on creativity
As one who has seen more than a few creative artists in rehab, I have to say that only one has been able to redefine himself as a non-user. Day after day I would watch the creative productivity of this one person, during detox and rehab. And day after day I would hear him attest to how much better his work was becoming.

All others (I saw) incorporated using their substance(s) of choice into their identities and into their creativity.

I think an unaltered mind that creates becomes altered anyway by the high that creating produces.

I know that for myself, if I consume, I will become sufficiently useless and passive to create exactly nothing.

In my younger days, I used to believe that whatever I wrote while "altered" was actually better than whatever I wrote "clean". Until I realized it was garbled nonsense, unfit for objective critique and public consumption.

But that's just me.

I'm with you, Pen, on this one.

Bobby, those under the influence do not merely influence their art by being "altered", they influence their identities, their "selves". As do non-artists who use.

( Posted by: windchime [Member] On: July 26, 2011 )

@windchime & Bobby
Lucie your input, considering your vocation, is valuable. Who better to reflect upon such things? I appreciate you stopping by. Most of my opinion is based upon personal experience even though I've known a few .. um ... er ... tortured souls[?]

My one friend who has an 'interesting' history declares he's way way better creatively flying unimpaired. However, he's so much more mature and he went through a sabbatical during the duration and for several years after.

While the 'chippers' who can actually remember the 'high' times may draw on those experiences, based on my own experiences, I can't imagine anything truly 'deep' coming from that well.

Bobbie I agree, Jimi was brilliant ... what a shame he didn't make it to the other side of those times.

( Posted by: Pen [Member] On: July 26, 2011 )

Drunk in Charge
I once had a Sgt (electronics tech) in my section...He was brilliant when drunk and could repair almost anything requiring quite sobering skills...Unfortunately I had to "Sack him Off" because he was also totally irresponsible...Barry Sheen's don't impress me none..... But it's an illness of course !!! Half (my humble guess) musicians are high...etc etc

( Posted by: Fairplay [Member] On: July 29, 2011 )

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