Why So Many Artists Are Highly Sensitive People • Hacker News Board

Re: Why So Many Artists Are Highly Sensitive People

#41

Post by dpflan » Sun, Jan 03, 2016, 4:20 PM UTC

According to this article, a creative person experiences heightened sensitivity to stimuli and exhibits paradoxical behavior. Then he/she chooses a medium for expression to channel the chaotic sensory and emotional experiences into one that is controlled more so by themselves, else how can we deem someone as creative until they create. Seems like we need to understand creativity a bit more, because as many users are commenting, some descriptions and questions from this article are vague and highly applicable the basic human experience (we're all creative! :))

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I looked for some resources by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (MC) who was referenced for studying creativity.

Here is what appears to be chapters 2 and 5 of his book Creativity (hosted by CS7601: Computational Creativity, host by Georgia Tech):

1. Ch. 2. - "Where Is Creativity?": http://www.cc.gatech.edu/classes/AY2013/cs7601_spring/papers...

2. Ch. 5 - "The Flow of Creativity": http://www.cc.gatech.edu/classes/AY2013/cs7601_spring/papers...

3. Class Website: http://www.cc.gatech.edu/classes/AY2013/cs7601_spring/

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Csikszentmihalyi also wrote Flow, which is about the psychology of optimal experience.

1. TED talk by MC: https://www.ted.com/talks/mihaly_csikszentmihalyi_on_flow?la...

2. Flow - coined by MC: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flow_(psychology)

Re: Why So Many Artists Are Highly Sensitive People

#42

Post by belleandsebasti » Sun, Jan 03, 2016, 4:27 PM UTC

To all the people in their early twenties who are using this article to justify their sensitivity and irrationality and lack of control over their emotions:

Don't.

Yes, having the mind of a child is correlated with creativity. The trick is being responsible, increasing your awareness, and learning empathy while continuing your journey of self-expression.

Michael Jackson is a terrible role model. Any spoiled child disconnected from reality can be an artist. Being a great person takes more work.

Re: Why So Many Artists Are Highly Sensitive People

#43

Post by zepto » Sun, Jan 03, 2016, 4:30 PM UTC

fitzwatermellow wrote: post #18

A more interesting line of inquiry is why so many of those blessed with the highest instincts for creativity have so little empathy towards those around them. As if they are so in thrall with their own genius they have little capacity for the smallest kindnesses. Or are so focused on manifesting the perfect visions contained in their minds, any quotidian concerns seem far beneath them and an utter waste of time. Cons…

Seems like you have no empathy for them, rather - judgement and assumptions.

Re: Why So Many Artists Are Highly Sensitive People

#44

Post by tiler » Sun, Jan 03, 2016, 4:32 PM UTC

MawNicker wrote: post #20

fitzwatermellow wrote: post #18

A more interesting line of inquiry is why so many of those blessed with the highest instincts for creativity have so little empathy towards those around them. As if they are so in thrall with their own genius they have little capacity for the smallest kindnesses. Or are so focused on manifesting the perfect visions contained in their minds, any quotidian concerns seem far beneath them and an utter waste of time. Cons…

They're unique in their local environment. They have a sensibility that annoys people. When their environment fails to immediately satisfy them it gets tired of feeling their negative emotions. They're expected to be happy or shut up. The more they develop this component of themselves the more they're denied empathy. They get tired of giving and not receiving. What we call empathy nowadays is actually just sympathy.…

I think much of what you've said can be applied to other types of social outcasts e.g. drunks, gamblers, etc.

Re: Why So Many Artists Are Highly Sensitive People

#45

Post by zschuessler » Sun, Jan 03, 2016, 4:51 PM UTC

The described sensitivity is easily related to by software engineers. It's often difficult to receive an annual review or feedback from code commits. It's a feeling of wanting feedback to continue growth, and fearing it due to sensitivity.

One book I've enjoyed which equips confidence is "Thanks for the Feedback." It's a book by Douglas Stone & Sheila Heen of the Harvard Negotiation Project.

Prepare to read one chapter every few days. It's a heavy read. Well written, it's an abundance of information: you may need to take time for brain rewiring as I did.

Amazon link:

Thanks for the Feedback - http://www.amazon.com/Thanks-Feedback-Science-Receiving-Well...

Re: Why So Many Artists Are Highly Sensitive People

#46

Post by treve » Sun, Jan 03, 2016, 5:24 PM UTC

zschuessler wrote: post #45

The described sensitivity is easily related to by software engineers. It's often difficult to receive an annual review or feedback from code commits. It's a feeling of wanting feedback to continue growth, and fearing it due to sensitivity. One book I've enjoyed which equips confidence is " Thanks for the Feedback. " It's a book by Douglas Stone & Sheila Heen of the Harvard Negotiation Project. Prepare to read one cha…

Sorry, but engineers are not artists. People need to stop elevating their profession and job titles to something they're not and take pride in what you actually are; which is pretty great in itself.

Re: Why So Many Artists Are Highly Sensitive People

#47

Post by rtehfm » Sun, Jan 03, 2016, 5:32 PM UTC

codingdave wrote: post #16

enginn wrote: post #5

“If you ask me what I came to do in this world, I, an artist, will answer you: I am here to live out loud” ― Émile Zola A true artist is one who never calls him/herself an artist is my stance. It is usually when society sees a person's works and starts to give positive reviews that the inner artist is unleashed on the world. Sensitivity plays a part, but only insofar as the artist can channel art through the correct…

I earned a 4 year degree in fine arts, have exhibited my work, and make a point to try to create at least one new work each week. I have never made it my career, but art is certainly one of my larger hobbies. By your definition, though, because I actively pursue it and call myself an artist, even though society has not noticed it or given me positive reviews... that means I am not a "true artist". So I must disagree…

Taking what the parent comment said and what you've said, I can see both points.

In defense of the parent, anyone that practices a trade (singer, actor, artist, programmer, developer, engineer) typically doesn't identify themselves as one of the aforementioned titles unless they get paid to do so. Now, mind you, that doesn't mean in the most traditional sense that lack of monetary reward/success doesn't disqualify their skill but, in this world, it certainly validates ones work/interest.

To make my point, society typically doesn't label someone that can sing a 'singer' unless that is their profession and they get paid for it. Even though I script and do 'some' programming, I wouldn't dare call myself a programmer.

I believe that one shouldn't get too hung on titles. For me, at least, I find a sole definition limiting because there isn't a single title that describes everything that I'm good at, however, there is a single title that describes what I'm good enough to get paid for.

Re: Why So Many Artists Are Highly Sensitive People

#48

Post by jsprogrammer » Sun, Jan 03, 2016, 5:46 PM UTC

tiler wrote: post #44

MawNicker wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They're unique in their local environment. They have a sensibility that annoys people. When their environment fails to immediately satisfy them it gets tired of feeling their negative emotions. They're expected to be happy or shut up. The more they develop this component of themselves the more they're denied empathy. They get tired of giving and not receiving. What we call empathy nowadays is actually just sympathy.…

I think much of what you've said can be applied to other types of social outcasts e.g. drunks, gamblers, etc.

What was said applies to the labelers, not the labeled.

Re: Why So Many Artists Are Highly Sensitive People

#49

Post by pzone » Sun, Jan 03, 2016, 5:48 PM UTC

fche wrote: post #35

fbonetti wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What a vapid and narcissistic comment. Only on hacker news.

The PuffHo article is vapic & narcissistic the same way.

Not really. It's just a crappy / flashy exposition of some very routine psychological research.

Re: Why So Many Artists Are Highly Sensitive People

#50

Post by pzone » Sun, Jan 03, 2016, 5:51 PM UTC

treve wrote: post #46

zschuessler wrote: post #45

The described sensitivity is easily related to by software engineers. It's often difficult to receive an annual review or feedback from code commits. It's a feeling of wanting feedback to continue growth, and fearing it due to sensitivity. One book I've enjoyed which equips confidence is " Thanks for the Feedback. " It's a book by Douglas Stone & Sheila Heen of the Harvard Negotiation Project. Prepare to read one cha…

Sorry, but engineers are not artists. People need to stop elevating their profession and job titles to something they're not and take pride in what you actually are; which is pretty great in itself.

I agree that it's very unlikely engineers are more sensitive than the average person, but engineers can also be highly sensitive and perhaps it's useful to provide some advice for handling career-specific situations.