Originality an impossibility?

[Z3ratul]

I mean this on two levels:

1) The more everyday one- the one you encounter at school, in the workplace, etc. People trying to be original in the way they dress, act, speak... and I'm not referring to the 'emo's. I'm wondering if, regardless of what you did, could you ever achieve originality? Of course, that might imply that you are required to put up a facade, which, while could be the case, isn't necessary. Heck- even being yourself, while probably the most truthful way to live, isn't original in the conept, or even the execution. In the society we live in today, I do think original is impossible.

2) The first is really an example of the second. Has every idea already been thought? It seems everytime I come up with a thought that I consider 'original', I'll find that somebody has already made a quote pretaining of such, or, rather disappointingly on my behalf, sometimes whole idealogies have been based on that thought process. I guess knowing that I don't live in a case of solipism is comforting, and yet at the same time, depressing. I might be letting pride and conceit get ahead of myself, but I'm starting to consider (and maybe even accept) that it will be impossible in my life to come up with an original statement, thought, or idea.

The only possible disproof I've been able to find is our advancement of technology, but even so, I'm not sure if that counts. And, while I type this, let me apologize as I did so in a matter of five minutes and it may not be entirely thought out. In any case...

Anybody have any thoughts on the matter?

[Tokzic]

Re: Originality an impossibility?

Sometimes, when I have nothing else to do but think, I consider things that life could be that we haven't considered yet. I once considered that the only thing you could be sure of existing is yourself, and everything else could be an illusion. Turns out this was an ancient Greek philosophy.

It isn't impossible, but it is definitely extremely difficult to think of something that no one else has. Even with what's left, there's high competition. You probably know someone who had a great idea for an invention that someone else made before them. I know many instances.

[esupin]

Re: Originality an impossibility?

I'm sure people 60 years from now have wondered about the same question, and look where we are now. Tell someone from 1945 that there are Japanese baseball players in the MLB and they'd pee their pants.

Originality is definitely possible. A great place to find originality is in media. Every once in a while(although some would probably disagree), a movie or a book or anything else will pop up that is wholly original. Obviously, nothing is 100% original. Themes such as love and the human condition will always be around.

The trick is to not try too hard to be original. Every human being is different. Shake what your momma gave you.

[SethSquall]

Re: Originality an impossibility?

Every bodys different in some way or another. I just think the difference goes further to how you present yourself or what music you listern to.

[Kilgamayan]

Re: Originality an impossibility?

Originality is overrated.

[Z3ratul]

Re: Originality an impossibility?

Every once in a while(although some would probably disagree), a movie or a book or anything else will pop up that is wholly original.

The trick is to not try too hard to be original. Every human being is different. Shake what your momma gave you.

I disagree. Wholly original? No, I highly doubt that. Even when ignoring technicalities, I'm sure some form of the idea has been thought- perhaps just applied differently to fit the situation.

And regarding that second part... agreed.

Every bodys different in some way or another. I just think the difference goes further to how you present yourself or what music you listern to.

Of course everybody is different. But I'm doubting anybody is original... again, ignoring technicalities. Suppose you listen to music types 'a, d, g, k, and z'. I'm sure somebody else on this planet listens to just those same kinds of music as well as yourself. You could consider, however, that nobody will be exactly the same as you (DNA for example), thus making you original. This in my eyes though, is a technicality.

Originality is overrated.

I agree. However, some would consider it to be one of the most important things to strive for. Subjective, I know, but just stating the fact.

EDIT: I'm not even sure if there's a point I'm trying to reach for in this discussion... it just bothers me a bit is all...

[DarkVampiress21]

Re: Originality an impossibility?

There are just more and more people in the world. A long time ago, there were original people, but now there's more population so it's harder to stand out. It's also harder to not repeat the people in the past who were original at the time.

You know how they say as we keep reproducing, one day we'll all be the same?

Exactly.

[JKPolk]

Re: Originality an impossibility?

The hardest part about being original, is that you're doing something that no one's done before. It's expensive, it's tricky, and it takes a HELL of a lot of work.

And DarkVamp makes me think of the good ol' days of Doppelgangers. They make for both the coolest card, and coolest theory ever.

[Z3ratul]

Re: Originality an impossibility?

Something interesting I thought of- you're born from your parents, so, at least from a physical standpoint, you stand no chance for originality. Meh.

[JKPolk]

Re: Originality an impossibility?

Not true Z3r. My sister was born mentally and physically retarded, but I was born quite intelligent. My parents always like to rub that in, too.
"All you do is sit around and play video games! If your sister had your brains, I bet she'd be doing something more productive!"

But anyway, as I derail my own post, there's always a random possibility. No one else in my family, at least to my knowledge, is mentally or physically retarded.

[Z3ratul]

Re: Originality an impossibility?

Not true Z3r. My sister was born mentally and physically retarded, but I was born quite intelligent.

You've only posted an unlikely probability- not something unoriginal. There's plenty of people in this world that are mentally / physically retarded (sorry if I talk objectively about the subject considering it's your sister). Your parents still have the capacity to pass on a set of genes that would create something that's handicapped... just not as likely as producing something that's more on the 'normal' side. It's just two different cases in my eyes... unless I'm missing a reasoning in your post, which is entirely possible.

[esupin]

Re: Originality an impossibility?

I disagree. Wholly original? No, I highly doubt that. Even when ignoring technicalities, I'm sure some form of the idea has been thought- perhaps just applied differently to fit the situation.

And regarding that second part... agreed.

Hmm... recently, spoken word poetry has taken off. It's like rapping poetry. Although it's two preexisting art forms molded together, it's definitely something that's never been done before. Also, a film with a mostly Asian cast directed by an Asian made in the USA has finally been made that doesn't involve kung-fu(Better Luck Tomorrow). As far as I know, it's the only one of its kind.

[Z3ratul]

Re: Originality an impossibility?

Hmm... recently, spoken word poetry has taken off. It's like rapping poetry. Although it's two preexisting art forms molded together, it's definitely something that's never been done before. Also, a film with a mostly Asian cast directed by an Asian made in the USA has finally been made that doesn't involve kung-fu(Better Luck Tomorrow). As far as I know, it's the only one of its kind.

I guess those in their own respect are pretty original. xD

[flamingspinach]

Re: Originality an impossibility?

it's perfectly possible to be original... o_O wtf? The state of the universe is never the same, every second of existence is original

[JKPolk]

Re: Originality an impossibility?

Z3r:
I get what you're saying, and yes that makes sense to a point. Don't worry, I don't take offense, otherwise I wouldn't have posted it.