“Nothing is completely original. All creative work builds on what came before. Every new idea is just a remix or a mashup of one or two previous ideas.”
– Austin Kleon, author of Steal Like An Artist, from his TedTalk in 2012
When I first ran across this concept while reading Steal Like An Artist, I wanted to argue against it. How is it possible that nothing is original? Does this mean that I can’t come up with anything new? Well, yes and no.
After some thought, I had to concede that nothing is original. There will always be someone out there who will see a direct correlation between two artists’ works. Additionally, people are influenced at least subconsciously by what they see on a daily basis. As a result, it is nearly impossible not to be compared to someone.
If you are depressed by this statement, you shouldn’t be. How many creative-types hear that they need to come up with something new on a regular basis? The reason you can’t come up with something completely original is because it does not exist. The pressure is off. Now you can concentrate as on being as original as possible and not completely original.
And as an added bonus, you already have the framework for being “original.” Your personal style, spin, or take on a specific topic will not be the same as someone else, at least not 100 percent. Nobody has the exact experiences or influences that you do. People will judge the “originality” of an idea by what ideas are used and how they are remixed. You have complete control over that.
If this still doesn’t convince you, watch the video below.
Tidbits 