deepstash
Beta
Deepstash brings you key ideas from the most inspiring articles like this one:
Read more efficiently
Save what inspires you
Remember anything
Bob Dylan on Sacrifice, the Unconscious Mind, and How to Cultivate the Perfect Environment for Creative Work
6
Key Ideas
Save all ideas
The greatest poet
Van Morrison once characterized Bob Dylan as the greatest living poet.
Pete Seeger said that the unmistakable elegance in Dylan's words has an almost biblical beauty that has sustained his songs throughout the years.
37 SAVES
54 READS
An optimal frame of mind
Like many creators, Dylan values that unconscious aspect of creativity.
Dylan states that his best songs are those which were written very, very, very quickly. In order to do that, one must stay in the unconscious frame of mind. This optimal frame of mind can be aided by an environment that brings something out in you that you want to be brought out. Dylan states that it is a contemplative, reflective thing.
33 SAVES
40 READS
Sort through your thoughts
Dylan explains that there are two kinds of thoughts in your mind: there are good and evil thoughts. If you want to be a songwriter, you must sort through those thoughts, because they are meaningless and just pull you around. Then you can extract yourself from your thoughts and survey it in a way that can't affect you.
46 SAVES
42 READS
Too many songs
Dylan makes a seemingly controversial statement when he states that the world doesn't need any more songs. There are enough songs, "unless someone's gonna come along with a pure heart and has something to say. That's a different story."
40 SAVES
29 READS
Good entertainers
Dylan seems to regard “popular entertainers” with a certain degree of contempt and mistrust.
He explains that to become a rare exception worthy of true creative respect takes talent and a whole lot of sacrifice and dedication.
28 SAVES
23 READS
Dylan on Poets
"Poets don’t drive cars. Poets don’t go to the supermarket. Poets don’t empty the garbage... Poets don’t even talk to anybody. Poets do a lot of listening ...
37 SAVES
45 READS
SIMILAR ARTICLES & IDEAS:
6
Key Ideas
Sesame Street
Before Sesame Street, music wasn't even considered as a means to teach children. But Sesame Street changed that and proved that kids are very receptive to a grammar lesson contained in a song.
Musical stars
Big-name stars lined up to make guest appearances. Stevie Wonder and Grover; Loretta Lynn and the Count; Smokey Robinson and a marauding letter U. "Sesame Street" also showcased Afro-Caribbean rhythms, operatic powerhouses, Latin beats, Broadway showstoppers, and bebop.
Now, after 4,526 episodes, the legacy is evident: It impacted the music world as much as it shaped TV history, inspiring fans and generations of artists.
The goal
The aim of "Sesame Street" was to build school preparedness and narrow the educational gap between lower- and upper-income children.
They used pedagogy advice from a Harvard professor. Research also showed children were more receptive when they watched with caregivers, so celebrities were introduced.
2
Key Ideas
Minimizing The Brain Drain Caused By Your Devices
- Whether you are using it or not, be aware of how much of your conscious thoughts are occupied by your devices.
- Take your devices out of your sight and keep it...
Phones And The Human Brain
Phones take over many duties in our day-to-day lives and so they occupy portions of our attentional capacity.
Studies indicate that regular phone and computer users that physically get away from devices, theirs or not, have an increase in available cognitive capacity and that doing so is the best way to make sure you won’t have anxiety over whatever you might be missing on it.
7
Key Ideas
Meaningful productivity
The best work happens in short intensive deep work spurts (1–3 hours, no distractions).
Your best thinking will actually happen while you’re away from your work, “recovering.” B...
The first 3 hours of the day
...are your most precious for maximized productivity.
Your brain is most attuned first thing in the morning, and so are your energy levels. Consequently, the best time to do your best work is during this time.
The “90–90–1” rule
Spend the first 90 minutes of your workday on your #1 priority, nothing else.
Zero distractions. Just get that work done.