3 billion Asians can’t be creative – introduction
As an Asian, as you may have gathered, I yearn for a time when Asians will grow into the vast human potential that awaits them. That sounds patronising, but isn’t. Even with Asian countries that can trace their history back centuries or even millennia, the modern picture of such countries have been ones of poverty, social strife and warfare. If we use the concept of a country, such as the sort you or I would prefer to live in, as inclusion of the populace in the decision-making of a particular government, then it’s sad to realise that India has the claim of being “the oldest democracy in Asia” at only about 60+ years and counting. Not very long at all.
I’ve spoken before about the economic might (and rising ascendancy) of the continent, and that is something of which there is no doubt. However, when it comes to creativity and innovation (a “culture of iconoclasm”, if you will) then I suffer nothing but abject depression over Asia’s trenchant rejection of the one thing that can actually propel itself into the kind of envy-producing prominence that has been the hallmark of Western civilisations for centuries. Absolute, sheer-to-goodness, original, satirical, self-reflective creativity.
I’ve started this series of blogs because this is something that I feel has to be confronted and discussed by Asians. I’m not saying that everything is going to be well thought out because I’m only groping for understanding myself. And, who knows, I may even end up reversing my own position on some things down the track. What I think will remain inviolate, though, is the central premise that the Culture of Iconoclasm is stifled throughout Asia and that, more than foreign investment, more than manufacturing figures, such repression will lead to Asia being a second-rate continent for as long as it clings to its outdated concepts of not rocking the boat.
I’m trying to get permission from someone to include some of their work into a future blog on this line of thinking, so stay tuned.
7 comments
I’m asian. A mindless, uncreative being.
So you’re trying to say that I am defined by the people who came before me? That whatever I do I will always be seen in the same light as my parents, my grandparents, my great grandparents? You are using the past to define me in the present and future as an Asian? That I can’t think for myself? I can’t be creative? I can’t write? That I will follow the path that my ancestors and their ancestors had? Really.
Maybe, just maybe, that it is not us uncreative Asians that are the problem. Maybe it is people who follow stereotypical comments, blogs, media, lectures etc…
If it is us, then I ask you why do you consider non-Asians, especially Europeans, to be more creative? Is it only based on that they are more recognized? Is it because of the last few centuries were dominated by Europeans? Is that why you say we are less creative? Is creativity defined by who had more works published and recognized, who dominated the others? If this is how you determine creativity then I have to say you are honestly mistaken.
Have you ever considered that Asians are creative? Have you ever considered maybe, just maybe that history only defines a culture, a group of people, a person in the past, but not the present? Why use it to justify your view on our culture? Why use it to justify your view on 3 billion people whose ancestors varied from skin, language, and thought?
Entertaining a thought is a good thing, but following it without thinking of why it could be wrong is a travesty.
Hey Kiet, thanks for dropping by! Sorry the late reply, I try to take Sundays off.
Yes, I think most people are defined by their culture. If you come from a culture where it’s okay to hit women, then it’s going to take a lot more effort to think your way out of it. The same if you come from a culture which takes it as a given that a woman is paid 75% of a man’s pay for equivalent work.
While there are exceptions, I think that — as a rule — Asians are way too compliant. Not iconoclastic. I see this play out from Japanese and Indian IT workers to Singapore and Malaysian students. As a general rule, none want to “stand out”.
> Maybe, just maybe, that it is not us uncreative Asians that are the problem. Maybe it is people who follow stereotypical comments, blogs, media, lectures etc…
And, unfortunately, you’re making the point for me. Why follow? Okay, so you’re different because you have the guts to come here and take issue with what I’ve said, but what about the others who didn’t? I deliberately made a post provocative and only you turned up? That gladdens and, at the same time, saddens me.
A lot of Western prominence in world culture is undoubtedly due to propaganda. And a lot of it, I believe, is due to the consequences of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. But, unfortunately, when it comes to hard stuff like, say, patents, hard-science Nobels, prominent artists, we’re just not there yet. And I’m sure I don’t have to tell you about parental wailing and gnashing of teeth over “unsuitable” professions chosen by their children. If you haven’t suffered that yourself, I’m sure one of your friends has.
> Have you ever considered maybe, just maybe that history only defines a culture, a group of people, a person in the past, but not the present?
No, I do take issue with you there. Those who can’t learn from the past are condemned to repeat it, and all that.
Another stereotypical comment that Asians are followers not leaders.
Do you realize that not all Asians are from China? You are using a group of people and extrapolating them to define 3 billion other people.
Can you define creativity? Is it being good artist? A good writer? If it is then I do not see why you say we Asians are not creative. I think you are confusing creativity versus dominance over other races.
Creativity IS NOT who got more recognitions such as Nobel Prizes, or who had more books published and recognized, or who had dominated the others.
You are so drowned in Western stereotypes of Asians that you are blinded to any positives in Asians.
If you wish to use history to define Asians today then I ask you who invented the compass, paper, gunpowder, print books, blast furnace, cannon, iron, chess, ink, the number zero, negative numbers?
I would list more but I DO NOT think that I am defined by the people who came before me. I am defined by my actions, my choices, my beliefs. Would you want someone to say that you are inferior just because your parents are from the lower class?
Using a person’s background to define them is beyond outrage, it is RACISM.
Quite simply, in this particular essay, I define creativity as the ability to go against the flow. I think I was clear that that was my main thrust in my original post. And creativity encompasses much more than the “softer” arts. It’s there in science and technology too. And I did mention Malaysia and India which, as far as I can ascertain, are not Chinese dominant, although I could be wrong.
Yes, there is an element of dominance in my argument, I’ll concede that. But I think I made that point in my original post as well(ref: second paragraph). So you’re not saying anything novel by stating those things. As I’ll also concede that much of Asian history is relegated to obscurity through propaganda. I think I mentioned that too. And, of course, I know the inventions. I’m not “using history to define Asians today” but rather that we must understand the varied histories and cultures of the region in order to gain some insight into possible opinions and prejudices. But, if you want to take that as a basis, all the things you mention were CENTURIES ago. From such a promising beginning (and don’t forget astronomy from India, which I mentioned in another post that eludes me), what has happened? This is a topic that Tariq Ali takes up in his “Clash of Fundamentalisms”. Once, the Arab world was the flower — the glowing pinnacle — of human civilisation. The fact that it fell was, of course, not down to itself, but where was/is the Arabic equivalent of the Rennaissance movement that revitalised a moribund Europe?
And, certainly, although you may not want to admit it for yourself, I’ll readily admit that I’m defined by the people who came before me, even as a negative rather than a positive. The attitudes of my race, my parents and my forebears are something that I think upon often and react against all the time.
> Another stereotypical comment that Asians are followers not leaders.
One that you made, not me.
Have you considered how many Asians in our history have stood against the flow? You are not giving these people justice with a hateful blog like this.
Why do you consider a person’s background to be the main factor on how to define that person? Do their actions, their choices, and their beliefs have no bearing?
I feel like you are arguing that Asians in their history are not creative people because they don’t dominate other races in science and warfare.
As for the present I see creativity in Asians everywhere. Especially in the gaming industry with classic games like the Final Fantasy series. And there are many Asians in the music and art. But this apparently eluded you somehow.
Give me one concrete example on how Asians today cannot be creative?
Enough with the personal attacks! You want to argue, Kiet, argue like an adult. For the umpteenth time, I’m talking iconoclasm. Since you haven’t once picked up on that, I’m left with the assumption that you may not know what it means.
Iconoclasm: act of breaking images; opposition to image-worship. “Sacred cows make the best hamburgers” and all that. Look it up.
Don’t tell me that there are creative game-designers in Asia. As a gamer myself, I’m well aware of it. And if that’s the limit of your knowledge of creativity, you may want to start reading a bit more widely.
Tell me that children are free to choose whatever occupation they want without pressure/censure from their parents or society. Tell me that the Japanese (as well as other Asian) corporate structures aren’t based on kowtowing to the “big honcho” anymore and that — gasp! — they even appreciate women in the workplace. Tell me that topics such as teenage suicide, underage pregnancies, homosexuality and other previously taboo subjects are now discussed freely in schools in an effort to come to grips with difficult subjects. Tell me that belief in the divine right of the ruling emperor/king/monarch has been eroded as more Asians become self-actualised.
THAT’s what I’m talking about. The freedom to be able to question and debate. And not just one or two people here and there, but a right that’s available to all Asians equally. To me, THAT’S where creativity springs from. Not from an award for Final Fantasy, but from a bedrock belief that everything can, and must, be questioned.
I fear we are doomed to talk at cross-purposes here, Kiet, and I have work to do. I won’t be replying to any more of your comments but just want you to keep your eyes open to the role of (Asian) societal pressure on the decisions that you, and your friends, are subtly forced to take on a daily basis. Take care.
Why did you suddenly change your topic? The title of your blog IS Asians can’t be creative!
And yet you’re the one saying I’m off topic.
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