the Quest for Originality

So many times I have observe someone trying to create something completely original; something that resembles nothing else in the world, future, past and present. Back during my days in high school, originality was the achievment of the great. They and I wanted to accomplish something significant to make our mark on the world. The path to significance was originality. I saw it less after high school, but instead of disappearing, it went underground. I see the quest for originality all over the place. It eats at the core of western culture. I first noticed this when I started avoiding America's most well known coffee shop because it seemed cliche. In my mind it lost its worth when it lost its originality. This certain well known coffee shop started on an original idea: quality coffee/espresso. Up until then, big brand coffee companies sold the cheapest coffee they could produce. Instant coffee (which you have to be desperate to drink) was invented in 1901 and became popular in the '50s when anything considered "old" was avoided and left behind. Instant coffee became the norm in most households. Espresso was just beginning to make it's way into North America when this well known coffee company started its first shop. They pioneered the Latte Languish. In America it was original. Sadly, they verge on cliche now.

>I copied John Lennon and created Imagine<
As a young song artist I was struggling in my quest for originality. The first few ideas I came up with were almost identical to a couple of favorite songs. The tune was different but the tone was the same, the lyrics were similar, and the style was the same. After my first few attempts I would dink around with a couple of tunes and cords but nothing I came up with ever became a song. I stopped creating. I gave up. I was frustrated with my music. I didn't want to copy anybody nor make music that sounded like a takeoff of another artist's sound. I wanted to make my music. I admired bands such as the Beatles who created music that seemed completely original. The Beatles had an original sound. Not surprising, the music the Beatles grew up listening to was from the '50s. It makes sense. What surprised me was that the Beatles attempted to imitate many sounds they heard from other bands before them. For many years they were a cover band playing the stuff everybody played. They copied. What many of the best artists come to understand is that no matter how hard they try to copy, they will never duplicate. It will always be different. In the attempt to copy they create something new: something good. So I found that if I focused making music that I liked, then I always created great music.

(TANGENT #1) >Indie Culture<
Some Indie bands put out some great stuff, but too many times I hear an Indie band that it so focused on creating an original sound that it ends up sounding strange and boring. The stuff sounds like trash. Its like the baker who specialized in fruity desserts. He decides that sweet dessert is way to cliche and boring so he puts salt in instead in order to create something new. The way our society is going we just might start eating salty desserts if someone said sweet was overrated. On a positve note: I doubt sex will ever turn cliche.

(TANGENT #2) >Cliche Pop Culture<
We know. Everyone knows. Its that damn Rihanna song Whats My Name. (actually this has to do with preference. I don't like this song. Everytime I turn the radio on this song seems to be playing.)
Actually pop culture is by definition cliche. It is common. It is the average. It is what most people will agree upon. Why can't I like something thats unoriginal, common, or cliche? I can. In fact, I should if it brings me pleasure.

>my Final Thoughts<
By focusing on creating something good rather than something new, I have allowed myself to be open to anything. This mindset breeds original and new ideas.