Ask HN: I want to know how everyone solves the problem of lacking creativity?

4 pointsnmr5215215mo ago5 comments

Lately, I've been using AI tools more and more for work. I went from having zero clue how to write prompts to totally nailing it, and I've had a blast along the way. But now, I keep getting stuck right at the starting line because I just don't have any fresh ideas.

Especially with image design, back in the day, I'd spend forever brainstorming a whole scene before diving in, or I'd just grab prompt templates that other people had already put together.

Efficiency's definitely shot up, which is awesome, but the trade-off is we need a ton more creativity. Where do all these ideas even come from? I'd love to hear how everyone else deals with this. For me, by the end, my brain's usually got just one or two words rattling around, and the rest is totally blank.

4 pointsnmr5215215mo ago5 comments

Especially with image design, back in the day, I'd spend forever brainstorming a whole scene before diving in, or I'd just grab prompt templates that other people had already put together.

5 comments

4 comments · 1 top-level

sargstuff5mo ago· 3 in thread

Practice on nonsensical/wimsy topics aka. typed, 50 page report on the contents of the inside of a ping pong ball. reiterate/refine till doesn't sound like bs/cut and paste.

Ask several people around you for a book/article. Find common way to associate aforementioned topic with article(s)/books provided. Extra credit if can present in a specific style/area.

aka Socratic method, humanities architectural style, etc. Does a corinthian ping pong ball contents vary more than a the contents of a doric ping pong ball? Iconic ping pong ball might be easier to build an ascii/utf pictorial association/representation of contents (ascimation). How many sprinkles have to covered the exterior of a ping pong ball before the interior contents change? (how long does that take?)

It'll give one some practice on techniques to approach things in different ways.

Can always go for the short variation on:

    A short story that incorporates four elements of classic literature;  Religion, Sex, Nobility, and Mystery... 
    "Oh my God" said the Princess, "I'm pregnant, and ignore who the father is!!!"[1]

versus

    "My God," said the Queen.  "I'm pregnant.  I wonder who did it?"[2]

All in how one encodes/pictures one's characterization.[3][4]

Terminal situation doesn't have to result in Doom[5]. Just use a different set of dimensional constants[6] to get a fuller process picture[6] perhaps with pi instead phi as foundational constant for more rounded picture.

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[1]: https://www.facebook.com/groups/194753281198303/posts/256575...

[2]: https://www.csun.edu/~dgw61315/creative.html

[3] : https://github.com/Sayhi-bzb/ascii-canvas

[4] : programmatic ascii art ... : https://community.wolfram.com/groups/-/m/t/181532

[5] : doom ascii : https://github.com/wojciech-graj/doom-ascii

[6] : psdoom : https://lunduke.substack.com/p/linux-process-monitoring-with...

nmr521521OP5mo ago

That's a great suggestion—gotta admit, doing more reading and practice can really beef up our knowledge base and spark way more inspiration.

But I'm still curious if there are any external tools or hacks I can lean on, 'cause finishing a whole book or wrapping up a practice session takes forever.

Sorry, but I have to say, it's probably from bingeing too many short videos that's tanking my patience these days.

sargstuff5mo ago

So, perhaps figure out how to group the short videos to form a higher level composition. (or cohesive concatenation for an anthology) aka Lewis Carroll "Through the Looking Glass" ( No, sending it over fiber doesn't count) Just mind the terms of service on the short videos.

Without a study area/focus, kinda difficult to recommend "Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs"[0].

What about a trip to discipline of choice version of MIT's media lab[0]. Take the applied and deconstruct the theory. Use the theory deconstructed to build new applications. Pal Alto's 'media lab' of the day worked for inspiration for Apple.

Tuning in to the music side, research history of The Beetles. "Now and Then" theme song for checking out what was innovative then vs. now. aka studio setup/figure out how to do what want vs. today's equivalent 'iPhone pocket studio'. Suppose with the relevant background, could research the friction between a music teacher instructing students with an electrical engineering background. Was that The Beetles downfall?

[0] : https://web.mit.edu/6.001/6.037/sicp.pdf [1] : https://www.media.mit.edu/

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For less quantum mania, and more visual, go semiotics & architecture:

Semiotics as a Guide for Architectural Formation : https://www.be.unsw.edu.au/si tes/default/files/upload/UtzonSymposium/FERWATI%20.pdf

Function and Sign: The Semiotics of Architecture : https://marywoodarchtheory.wo rdpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/function-and-the-sign-the-semiotics-of-ar ch_u-eco.pdf

Architectural Semiotics Decoding the Language of Space : https://www.re-thin kingthefuture.com/architectural-community/a11019-architectural-semiotics-decodin g-the-language-of-space/

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sargstuff5mo ago

Think historically that was group/team shooting the breeze. :-)

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

5 comments

4 comments · 1 top-level

sargstuff5mo ago· 3 in thread

Practice on nonsensical/wimsy topics aka. typed, 50 page report on the contents of the inside of a ping pong ball. reiterate/refine till doesn't sound like bs/cut and paste.

Ask several people around you for a book/article. Find common way to associate aforementioned topic with article(s)/books provided. Extra credit if can present in a specific style/area.

It'll give one some practice on techniques to approach things in different ways.

Can always go for the short variation on:

    A short story that incorporates four elements of classic literature;  Religion, Sex, Nobility, and Mystery... 
    "Oh my God" said the Princess, "I'm pregnant, and ignore who the father is!!!"[1]

versus

    "My God," said the Queen.  "I'm pregnant.  I wonder who did it?"[2]

All in how one encodes/pictures one's characterization.[3][4]

-------------------------------------------------------

[1]: https://www.facebook.com/groups/194753281198303/posts/256575...

[2]: https://www.csun.edu/~dgw61315/creative.html

[3] : https://github.com/Sayhi-bzb/ascii-canvas

[4] : programmatic ascii art ... : https://community.wolfram.com/groups/-/m/t/181532

[5] : doom ascii : https://github.com/wojciech-graj/doom-ascii

[6] : psdoom : https://lunduke.substack.com/p/linux-process-monitoring-with...

nmr521521OP5mo ago

That's a great suggestion—gotta admit, doing more reading and practice can really beef up our knowledge base and spark way more inspiration.

But I'm still curious if there are any external tools or hacks I can lean on, 'cause finishing a whole book or wrapping up a practice session takes forever.

Sorry, but I have to say, it's probably from bingeing too many short videos that's tanking my patience these days.

sargstuff5mo ago

Without a study area/focus, kinda difficult to recommend "Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs"[0].

[0] : https://web.mit.edu/6.001/6.037/sicp.pdf [1] : https://www.media.mit.edu/

--------------------------------------

For less quantum mania, and more visual, go semiotics & architecture:

Semiotics as a Guide for Architectural Formation : https://www.be.unsw.edu.au/si tes/default/files/upload/UtzonSymposium/FERWATI%20.pdf

Function and Sign: The Semiotics of Architecture : https://marywoodarchtheory.wo rdpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/function-and-the-sign-the-semiotics-of-ar ch_u-eco.pdf

Architectural Semiotics Decoding the Language of Space : https://www.re-thin kingthefuture.com/architectural-community/a11019-architectural-semiotics-decodin g-the-language-of-space/

-----------------------------------------------------------

sargstuff5mo ago

Think historically that was group/team shooting the breeze. :-)

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse