This is the Problem:

“We are awash in numbers. Data is everywhere. Unquantifiable arenas like history, literature, religion and the arts are receding from public life, replaced by technology, statistics and math. Even the most elemental form of communication, the story, is being pushed aside by the list.”
–  Bruce Feiler, The New York Times May 16, 2014

RyanAndGeneThis is the Solution:

“The Artist Date is a once-weekly, festive, solo expedition to explore something that interests you. The Artist Date need not be overtly ‘artistic’ — think mischief more than mastery. Artist Dates fire up the imagination. They spark whimsy. They encourage play. Since art is about the play of ideas, they feed our creative work by replenishing our inner well of images and inspiration. When choosing an Artist Date, it is good to ask yourself, ‘what sounds fun?’ — and then allow yourself to try it.”
– Julia Cameron

Enter the magical world of the Worthless Bastards.
Can you believe there is a new book that scientifically validates the value of being a Worthless Bastard once a week!

There are only three rules for hanging out with us:

  1. If you have a good story, tell it!
    Funny stories of personal experience are encouraged. Discussions often wander in and out of the arts: Music, Film, Literature, Painting, Photography, Good Food, Drink, Sculpture, Gardening, Poetry, History, Psychology, Culture, Travel, “Seen any good movies lately?” or we may tumble into talking about an interesting discovery in science. The conversation can go anywhere. You’re free to talk about anything that fascinates you, intrigues you or impresses you, except:
  2. There is to be no discussion of business, politics, sports or work.
  3. These are not counseling sessions.
    Leave your problems at home. Leave your business cards at home. Leave your plans and goals and objectives at home. Bring only your curiosity and a desire to unwind.
“Let us suppose that this everyday world were at some one point invaded by the marvelous.” 1
According to an article in the Harvard Business Review, such an event

“requires a distinctive mode of organization—what sociologists call an art world. In art worlds, artists (musicians, filmmakers, writers, designers, cartoonists, and so on) gather in inspired collaborations: They work together, learn from one another, play off ideas, and push one another. The collective efforts of participants in these ‘scenes’ often generate major creative breakthroughs… the mass-culture industries (film, television, print media, fashion) thrived by pilfering and repurposing their innovations.” 2

1 C.S. Lewis, describing the books of Charles Williams, a fellow member of his art world.
2 Harvard Business Review, March, 2016. “Branding in an Age of Social Media.”

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