Post by rollinsgrubbs on Aug 9, 2011 22:47:08 GMT -5
Creativity(as defined by dictionary.com): the ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, relationships, or the like, and to create meaningful new ideas, forms, methods, interpretations, etc.; originality, progressiveness, or imagination. I personally believe that creativity lies simply within the individual and is “implanted” by exposure to particular tasks and activities that have in fact been proven to influence brain activity. I also believe that to judge one individuals creativity is morally wrong. However, I do agree to say that creativity is one of the top leading qualities that an individual may posses as well as that creativity often times determines the progression of an individual and society. Sadly, the American society is falling behind in the creative path, as seen be our standings in critical knowledge areas such as math, science, and especially the arts. Around the world though in areas such as China and India, creativity is on the rise as children spend day and night in school and and practicing either instruments or even more schoolwork. This is pushing their societies to advance and become knowledgeably superior to ours, which in turn leads them to also become technologically superior to us as Americans. Prime examples would be the simple fact that many of our daily goods are either built over seas or even created over seas, goods such as clothing and cars, goods that we as Americans use 24/7. It’s even to the extent that for companies such as Harley, Chrysler, and others to claim that their goods are “made in America”, they must only include a certain percentage of American parts. Isn’t that an issue in itself? When I went to the Harley dealership and discovered that only 52 percent of the bike I was planning to buy was truly made in America, my stomach turned. However, it doesn’t stop there. Creativity’s slack has lead to American laziness as well, causing us to export jobs to said foreign countries and then in turn by their products on credit, a fact that has begun to destroy America’s reputation and credit rating, destroyed it to the extent that our suppliers have told us to step it up or they’ll potentially cut us off. What next? That could lead to the overall downfall of America and will ultimately decide whether we sink or float as or stock markets continue to fall. Some of our grandparents have already lived through one depression, I honestly don’t want them to have to see another in their lifetimes, let alone live through one myself. I believe that America needs to step up their creativity and take some pride in what the do and posses. Let’s step away from Facebook, turn off the TV, and put the iPod down. Let’s take part in some extra learning and the arts. Why should whether or not a product was “made in America” have to be determined by a percentage? Why not get off our lazy bums and have something that’s truly American? I don’t know about the rest of you America, but I thrive to live above our now lower than ever standards, simply to be able to have something to be proud of: myself. Quite frankly, I don’t want to be an American idiot.