Sunday, March 16, 2014

Inspiration, Creativity, and More

I read and receive many good articles/links through email and other social media. From time to time, I re-read and re-send links to different friends. I hope to keep a few of my favorites here for easy access and reference.

Articles

on value of time
http://davidduchemin.com/2011/07/45-days/

how to just get started
http://www.jamesaltucher.com/2014/03/the-ultimate-cheat-sheet-for-dealing-with-excuses/

keep a journal and see where it goes
http://www.origamispirit.com/2014/01/why-to-keep-a-journal/

creativity and habits
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/04/creativity-habits_n_4859769.html

on creativity and generating ideas
http://www.jamesaltucher.com/2014/05/the-ultimate-guide-for-becoming-an-idea-machine/

material possessions
http://buddhismnow.com/2012/10/26/without-possession-by-beopjeon-sunim/

on gratitude
http://www.jamesaltucher.com/2012/08/what-i-am-grateful-for/

on leadership and concentration
http://theamericanscholar.org/solitude-and-leadership/#.UyZMTfldV_A

fundamentals of cosplaying: have fun!
http://anyonecancosplay.tumblr.com/post/69167585268

Speeches

Try something new for 30 days
http://www.ted.com/talks/matt_cutts_try_something_new_for_30_days?language=en

Ken Burns commencement speech. on history, reading, writing, and value of interdisciplinary education
http://www.humanity.org/voices/commencements/ken-burns-georgetown-university-speech-2006

Neil Gaiman keynote address. on persistence of the artist's craft. literately how and when to make good art.
http://www.uarts.edu/neil-gaiman-keynote-address-2012

Shonda Rhimes commencement speech. be a do-er, not a dreamer.
https://medium.com/thelist/shonda-rhimes-real-talk-for-dartmouth-grads-dreams-are-for-losers-afd77eaea5d9

Mark Manson on giving a fuck. I like the bit where he mentions you should figure out what's important to you and focus on that. and the subtlety of "not giving a fuck" vs "indifferent". so true.
http://markmanson.net/not-giving-a-fuck

Robert Lang origami and math TED talk
http://www.ted.com/talks/robert_lang_folds_way_new_origami?language=en

Steve Jobs commencement speech. Probably the most well-known but still worth recommending and re-reading over and over.
http://news.stanford.edu/news/2005/june15/jobs-061505.html

Shimon TED talk on Self learning
http://www.ted.com/talks/shimon_schocken_the_self_organizing_computer_course

London designer/architect Thomas and the amazing cathedral from Shanghai world fair
https://www.ted.com/talks/thomas_heatherwick

Michael Moschen on juggling as arts and science
https://www.ted.com/talks/michael_moschen_juggles_rhythm_and_motion

JJ Abrams on mystery
http://www.ted.com/talks/j_j_abrams_mystery_box?language=en

Creative Process / Stuff

Steve on how he made the beautiful book out of paper collages http://www.stevejenkinsbooks.com/books/animal_book.html

NY in Lego form (tons of inside jokes for locals) http://niemann.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/02/i-lego-ny/?_r=0

Brendon on how his research / design process worked for 30 Flights of Loving (beautiful game I first saw from Indiecade. his other works are amazing too.)
http://blendogames.com/news/?p=499

Production Diary video (1 of many) for the animated series with best action sequence - RWBY
http://roosterteeth.com/archive/?id=8850&v=more

Books (and a ton more on my goodreads list)

"Alchemist" and "Aleph" by Paulo Coelho - on life and the journey
"Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand - on the cruelty of man and resilience of man.
"What I talk about when I talk about running" by Haruki Murakami - spiritual aspect of running (can also apply to other sports/arts/habits though)
"Kitchen Confidential" by Anthony Bourdain. Makes you appreciate food, kitchen, and restaurant a lot more.
"Power of Habit" by Charles Duhigg. a bit of insight of habits and how to deal with changes for individuals and organizations alike.

Anime / Animated Series

Samurai Champloo - a story on friendship and journey set to dazzling animation and music score.
Cowboy Bebop - just watch how cleverly this series pays homage to a variety of movies / shows / music.
Kids on the Slope - they need to make more stories about jazz with jazz. (yes I'm aware Ken Burns has a documentary, but this is different).
Ratatouille - if you're a food buff you have to watch this
Ernest and Celestine - the most beautifully drawn series, ever. (wiki page)
Nausicaa - still can't decide whether Nausicaa or Mononoke is my favorite but love both and certainly see some parallels.

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