Creativity and rebellion

Found this interesting quote today.

Economists and historians alike realize that there is a deep difference between homo economicus and homo creativus. One makes the most of what nature permits him to have. The other rebels against nature's dictates. Technological creativity, like all creativity, is an act of rebellion. (Joel Mokyr)

Made me think of Rollo May and something about daemons, something I barely skimmed back in college at some point, I think.

Rollo May introduces and defines the classic Greek conception of the "daimonic" or darker side of our being, noting that "the daimonic (unlike the demonic, which is merely destructive) is as much concerned with creativity as with negative reactions. ... constructiveness and destructiveness have the same source in human personality. The source is simply human potential."

from interview with Stephen A. Diamond, PhD: The Psychology of Creativity

I was originally skimming whatever it was I skimmed because the thought was intriguing. Creativity sure can feel like possession, and surely that's some sort of rebellion. Waking up with dissolving words in mind, poetry (but without the bother of verse, rhythm, rhyme, reason) spontaneous watching bark flap on a birch or some other peeling tree.* Think briefly I could be a birdwatcher as I watch a bird on the power line, half-spreading wings, twittering on about isobars or whatever birds feel they must incessantly chat about (the ones that come sit all too near my sleeping head every morning, making me think a bow and arrow might be better than binoculars).

Now, the new zen of banjo, from page one (or at least a rather early page) in my first banjo book, a quote from Lao Tzu. Never mind Taoism versus Zen Buddhism, for I've turned a page. It's absolutely the wrong book to have first, but definitely the right one for me.

Currently I sit in awe of other fingers. Don't think I can coax mine into moving bluegrass fast, but I've at least spent some time on it today. Just listening now. Earl Scruggs.

* They just make me think of the Codeine album cover for The White Birch.