The "blank page" paralysis happens because AI removed the friction of execution. Historically, the "idea" evolved while you were struggling to do the work. The brushstroke informed the next brushstroke. AI gives you the finished result instantly, so you lose that iterative discovery loop.
I’ve found the fix is to shift from being the Artist (who describes the image) to being the Architect (who defines the constraints).
Instead of trying to brainstorm the subject (e.g., "a futuristic city"), brainstorm the conflicting constraints (e.g., "design a city, but the architect is a biologist who refuses to use straight lines").
My workflow for "creativity":
Cross-Domain Injection: Take a concept from a totally unrelated field (e.g., fluid dynamics, mycelium networks, brutalist architecture) and force-map it onto your target domain.
Constraint Stacking: Don't tell the AI what to make. Tell it what it cannot do. "Write this code without using loops" or "Design this UI without using blue."
Creativity isn't magic; it's just combinatorial collision. The AI is good at rendering, but you have to be the one causing the collision.
Yeah, it's true—when these production tools keep getting faster, it actually ends up stifling creativity, especially in areas you're not great at or totally unfamiliar with. At that point, if you wanna get the most out of AI tools, us humans become the real bottleneck.
Actually, I'll give your method a try. Turns out, creativity itself can be boosted with AI help. Like you said, you just need to set some constraints instead of trying to guide it.
Practice on nonsensical/wimsy topics aka. typed, 50 page report on the contents of the inside of a ping pong ball. reiterate/refine till doesn't sound like bs/cut and paste.
Ask several people around you for a book/article. Find common way to associate aforementioned topic with article(s)/books provided. Extra credit if can present in a specific style/area.
aka Socratic method, humanities architectural style, etc. Does a corinthian ping pong ball contents vary more than a the contents of a doric ping pong ball? Iconic ping pong ball might be easier to build an ascii/utf pictorial association/representation of contents (ascimation). How many sprinkles have to covered the exterior of a ping pong ball before the interior contents change? (how long does that take?)
It'll give one some practice on techniques to approach things in different ways.
Can always go for the short variation on:
A short story that incorporates four elements of classic literature; Religion, Sex, Nobility, and Mystery...
"Oh my God" said the Princess, "I'm pregnant, and ignore who the father is!!!"[1]
versus
"My God," said the Queen. "I'm pregnant. I wonder who did it?"[2]
All in how one encodes/pictures one's characterization.[3][4]
Terminal situation doesn't have to result in Doom[5]. Just use a different set of dimensional constants[6] to get a fuller process picture[6] perhaps with pi instead phi as foundational constant for more rounded picture.
That's a great suggestion—gotta admit, doing more reading and practice can really beef up our knowledge base and spark way more inspiration.
But I'm still curious if there are any external tools or hacks I can lean on, 'cause finishing a whole book or wrapping up a practice session takes forever.
Sorry, but I have to say, it's probably from bingeing too many short videos that's tanking my patience these days.
So, perhaps figure out how to group the short videos to form a higher level composition. (or cohesive concatenation for an anthology) aka Lewis Carroll "Through the Looking Glass"
( No, sending it over fiber doesn't count) Just mind the terms of service on the short videos.
Without a study area/focus, kinda difficult to recommend "Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs"[0].
What about a trip to discipline of choice version of MIT's media lab[0].
Take the applied and deconstruct the theory. Use the theory deconstructed to build new applications.
Pal Alto's 'media lab' of the day worked for inspiration for Apple.
Tuning in to the music side, research history of The Beetles. "Now and Then" theme song for checking out what was innovative then vs. now. aka studio setup/figure out how to do what want vs. today's equivalent 'iPhone pocket studio'. Suppose with the relevant background, could research the friction between a music teacher instructing students with an electrical engineering background. Was that The Beetles downfall?
For less quantum mania, and more visual, go semiotics & architecture:
Semiotics as a Guide for Architectural Formation : https://www.be.unsw.edu.au/si
tes/default/files/upload/UtzonSymposium/FERWATI%20.pdf
Function and Sign: The Semiotics of Architecture : https://marywoodarchtheory.wo
rdpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/function-and-the-sign-the-semiotics-of-ar
ch_u-eco.pdf
Architectural Semiotics Decoding the Language of Space : https://www.re-thin
kingthefuture.com/architectural-community/a11019-architectural-semiotics-decodin
g-the-language-of-space/
The "blank page" paralysis happens because AI removed the friction of execution. Historically, the "idea" evolved while you were struggling to do the work. The brushstroke informed the next brushstroke. AI gives you the finished result instantly, so you lose that iterative discovery loop.
I’ve found the fix is to shift from being the Artist (who describes the image) to being the Architect (who defines the constraints).
Instead of trying to brainstorm the subject (e.g., "a futuristic city"), brainstorm the conflicting constraints (e.g., "design a city, but the architect is a biologist who refuses to use straight lines").
My workflow for "creativity":
Cross-Domain Injection: Take a concept from a totally unrelated field (e.g., fluid dynamics, mycelium networks, brutalist architecture) and force-map it onto your target domain.
Constraint Stacking: Don't tell the AI what to make. Tell it what it cannot do. "Write this code without using loops" or "Design this UI without using blue."
Creativity isn't magic; it's just combinatorial collision. The AI is good at rendering, but you have to be the one causing the collision.
Yeah, it's true—when these production tools keep getting faster, it actually ends up stifling creativity, especially in areas you're not great at or totally unfamiliar with. At that point, if you wanna get the most out of AI tools, us humans become the real bottleneck.
Actually, I'll give your method a try. Turns out, creativity itself can be boosted with AI help. Like you said, you just need to set some constraints instead of trying to guide it.
Glad I was able to help. Let me know how it goes.
Practice on nonsensical/wimsy topics aka. typed, 50 page report on the contents of the inside of a ping pong ball. reiterate/refine till doesn't sound like bs/cut and paste.
Ask several people around you for a book/article. Find common way to associate aforementioned topic with article(s)/books provided. Extra credit if can present in a specific style/area.
aka Socratic method, humanities architectural style, etc. Does a corinthian ping pong ball contents vary more than a the contents of a doric ping pong ball? Iconic ping pong ball might be easier to build an ascii/utf pictorial association/representation of contents (ascimation). How many sprinkles have to covered the exterior of a ping pong ball before the interior contents change? (how long does that take?)
It'll give one some practice on techniques to approach things in different ways.
Can always go for the short variation on:
versus All in how one encodes/pictures one's characterization.[3][4]Terminal situation doesn't have to result in Doom[5]. Just use a different set of dimensional constants[6] to get a fuller process picture[6] perhaps with pi instead phi as foundational constant for more rounded picture.
-------------------------------------------------------
[1]: https://www.facebook.com/groups/194753281198303/posts/256575...
[2]: https://www.csun.edu/~dgw61315/creative.html
[3] : https://github.com/Sayhi-bzb/ascii-canvas
[4] : programmatic ascii art ... : https://community.wolfram.com/groups/-/m/t/181532
[5] : doom ascii : https://github.com/wojciech-graj/doom-ascii
[6] : psdoom : https://lunduke.substack.com/p/linux-process-monitoring-with...
That's a great suggestion—gotta admit, doing more reading and practice can really beef up our knowledge base and spark way more inspiration.
But I'm still curious if there are any external tools or hacks I can lean on, 'cause finishing a whole book or wrapping up a practice session takes forever.
Sorry, but I have to say, it's probably from bingeing too many short videos that's tanking my patience these days.
So, perhaps figure out how to group the short videos to form a higher level composition. (or cohesive concatenation for an anthology) aka Lewis Carroll "Through the Looking Glass" ( No, sending it over fiber doesn't count) Just mind the terms of service on the short videos.
Without a study area/focus, kinda difficult to recommend "Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs"[0].
What about a trip to discipline of choice version of MIT's media lab[0]. Take the applied and deconstruct the theory. Use the theory deconstructed to build new applications. Pal Alto's 'media lab' of the day worked for inspiration for Apple.
Tuning in to the music side, research history of The Beetles. "Now and Then" theme song for checking out what was innovative then vs. now. aka studio setup/figure out how to do what want vs. today's equivalent 'iPhone pocket studio'. Suppose with the relevant background, could research the friction between a music teacher instructing students with an electrical engineering background. Was that The Beetles downfall?
[0] : https://web.mit.edu/6.001/6.037/sicp.pdf [1] : https://www.media.mit.edu/
--------------------------------------
For less quantum mania, and more visual, go semiotics & architecture:
Semiotics as a Guide for Architectural Formation : https://www.be.unsw.edu.au/si tes/default/files/upload/UtzonSymposium/FERWATI%20.pdf
Function and Sign: The Semiotics of Architecture : https://marywoodarchtheory.wo rdpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/function-and-the-sign-the-semiotics-of-ar ch_u-eco.pdf
Architectural Semiotics Decoding the Language of Space : https://www.re-thin kingthefuture.com/architectural-community/a11019-architectural-semiotics-decodin g-the-language-of-space/
-----------------------------------------------------------
Think historically that was group/team shooting the breeze. :-)