Monday Mooring

What is the gold standard by which creative work is validated? Business results and KPIs are important factors. Conformity to creativity’s ultimate aesthetic however has to do with the human impression of the Gold Standard from/by which proceeds creative expression—is it pure, refined? Testing will tell. 

For example, take prototyping–creating and testing a product to determine its efficacy in meeting human needs in a given context. Not everything that passes the prototyping phase is automatically endorsed by the ultimate gold standard of creativity. The creation and validation of a nuclear warhead intended to wipe out people and countries apparently meets and surpasses relevant ISO quality assurance procedures. But does it thereby pass the ultimate gold standard of creativity? Where do truth, beauty, and goodness factor? In another instance, a hospital designed, intended to treat the sick, and offer respite to the poor begins to turn away those in dire circumstances if they do not have the necessary insurance backing or capacity to pay for their treatment. Justified? Should standards of equity and justice apply? These, ultimately, presume some absolute and moral-personal notion of truth, relationships, and what is good.

Where do we stand when it comes to translating our creativity in the various situations and opportunities before us? Have we carefully evaluated the systems and structures that outwardly promote and celebrate creativity for all, but ultimately thwart creativity’s Gold Standard?

It’s simply impossible to evaluate each system or structure. True. Therefore let each one take care how each one creates. We are not rebuilding foundations but carefully evaluating our motives and methods that they might align with eternal and universal principles of creativity.