💬 Deep Dive

Many times, when people ask about my hobbies, I find it hard to answer. My daily life is rather monotonous—there's no gaming, hardly any outdoor activities, and very little socializing.

What I do most often is pick up a cup of coffee, sit in front of my computer, browse various websites, try out different tools, write a little, and then head downstairs to soak up some sunlight.

If the thing a person does most in their spare time defines their hobby—and even who they are—then I am a creator who loves reading and experimenting with tools. Reading is the intake, tools serve as aids, and ultimately, they lead to output—creation.

Yet, when I mention to acquaintances that I love reading and creating, I sometimes feel uneasy. The underlying thought is that if I haven't delved deeply into a particular book or produced a work I can proudly display, I might not really have the right to call myself a "creator who loves reading."

But such thinking only limits me. I simply enjoy reading and creating. Moreover, reading is often the precursor to creation. So, I might as well say it directly: I love creating. I create because it's my way of expressing ideas, affirming my existence, and giving my life meaning while realizing my potential.

1. Venting Emotions Through Creation

Imagine Dragons’ lead singer, Dan Reynolds, once said that it wasn’t he who chose music, but music that chose him.

At 12, while battling depression, he unexpectedly found an outlet for his emotions when he composed and hummed his first song in the corner of his room. From that moment on, music became both his greatest passion and his career.

In his early twenties, after being diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis and battling chronic pain, both physical and mental torment fueled his creativity. This profound experience made his work with the band deeply resonate with many people struggling with questions of belief, relationships, and pain. A standout line from "Believer"—"Pain! You made me a, you made me a believer, believer"—captures this perfectly.

From a psychological standpoint, repressed emotions are like blocked pipes, and expressing them is essential for clearing the buildup. For Dan Reynolds, while therapy aids in this, music composition provided another outlet, allowing him to channel his pain through creativity.

2. Self-Satisfaction Through Creation

The value of creation isn’t limited to emotional relief. On Lex Fridman’s podcast, Dan Reynolds mentioned that he enjoys coding. Writing code is much like composing a song—it's about building something new from nothing, even if it's just making a simple cube move. That sense of satisfaction from creating something tangible comes from deep within.

This creative satisfaction is the core driving force behind my own content creation. I've known since childhood that I'm just an ordinary person—not particularly gifted with words, logical reasoning, singing, let alone painting or programming. Yet, I have an abiding desire to produce my own work and to be captivated by the moment of completion (perhaps because the brain releases extra endorphins at that instant).

It wasn’t that I chose writing; writing chose me. Despite lacking innate talent and often staring into a blank page, writing has given me a structured way to grasp and articulate my thoughts, offering a more accessible path than, say, music, painting, or programming.

For me, the overwhelming satisfaction of creating content far outstrips that of merely consuming it. Through creation, I affirm that I still think, confirm my existence, resist nihilism, and imbue life with meaning.

3. Self-Actualization Through Creation

When asked what one should do, traditional views usually emphasize two things: helping others and caring for the world—ideas common to both Eastern and Western societies.

However, in his recent article "What To Do," Paul Graham argued that in our modern society—where material well-being and individual choice abound—we must add one crucial element: creating things.

If helping others and caring for the world are our responsibilities as members of society and our families, then creating things is about uncovering and realizing our own potential.

This stance aligns with humanistic psychology, which posits that everyone has an intrinsic drive to grow and realize their potential—the pinnacle of Maslow's hierarchy of needs.

Thus, creation can be seen as a deeper form of self-exploration and value realization after meeting our basic needs. It can run parallel to our familial and societal responsibilities and is one of the most important paths to self-actualization.

Final

Creation means making things, and its forms are as varied as cooking, public speaking, painting, music, writing, programming—just about everything.

Make Something Wonderful. There's no need to aim for earth-shattering achievements or, like I once did, feel anxious for lacking a "piece of work" to show. Don’t elevate creation to an unattainable ideal.

As long as you genuinely create something from nothing—or even improve something that already exists—and it conveys your ideas while bringing inner satisfaction, that is meaningful creation.

💎 Curated Gems

1. How to Create Great Things

Ryo Lu, Chief Designer at Cursor and former Notion designer, shares his insights on How to Create Great Things.

True greatness does not stem from a single burst of genius but from the careful honing of potential.

2. The 5 Most Misunderstood Quotes in Philosophy

This article examines the five most misunderstood quotes in philosophy—including "God is dead," "Occam’s Razor," and "I think, therefore I am"—and offers some intriguing perspectives.

3. ByteDance’s Recommendation Algorithm

ByteDance has revealed its recommendation algorithm in an easy-to-read article. This piece provides valuable insights into the relationship between platforms, users, and content.

🧵 One More Thing

I've recently been watching the series "Line of Fire." I've finished the first season and am currently on the second—highly recommended.

The director and writer patiently explain the underlying logic and rules that govern our society. The grim, dark sides of reality cannot be changed by a single idealist or an idealistic team.

Society operates like a grand game in which we are all players. We each must secure our roles and positions, negotiate our interests—after all, it's all a game: to play or be played.