What is Perspective?
Perspective is a collection of experiences and assumptions gathered throughout life. Everything we believe to be true is just an assumption; our brains don’t function off absolutes. If it did, then our minds wouldn’t have the capacity to be changed.
Many assumptions are predetermined, that is, they are hardwired into our brains from evolution. For example, our brains assume that the universe follows the laws of physics, that sharp objects will cut us, or whether a predator might harm our safety. Built on top of these base assumptions are the assumptions gathered from the individual.
Each individual has a unique perspective. We lack the capacity to fully understand another person’s perspective because we are bound by our own perspective.
Progression
Perspectives never make large jumps. The brain works in a way of gradual realization, or shift in perspective. From the outside, one may perceive a person as having an immense change in character or perspective, when in reality, one doesn’t know the thought processes going on in the other person’s head.
Creativity is within in arms reach of perspective. We can’t grab something that is across the room from us, just as we can’t formulate ideas about a subject we haven’t studied. We can’t teleport through space and time, just as perspective can’t make sudden jumps. Therefore, creative realizations are first slowly accumulated through time by “feeding the fire”.
Creativity is incremental. From one perspective, a person may seem like a genius for formulating an excellent idea, when in reality they’ve placed themselves in the right perspective to allow that idea to come to life. It may seem like a big leap, but that is only a subjective interpretation.
Genius
Einstein’s theory of time relativity took ten years of obsession with his craft in order to place himself in the right state of mind. Thomas Edison’s lightbulb took 10,000 trials of failure before stumbling upon the correct trail.
Failures shape our reality, and are essential for developing the correct assumptions of the world.
With a well developed perspective, one can achieve genius level creativity.