Arendt, one of the most original and fruitful minds of the twentieth century, thought of essays as trials or experiments in the activity of thinking.
She believed that the practice of turning briefly to a consideration of thought, the activity of thinking, would be of unquestioned relevance to our own future.
Interestingly enough, the word essay literally translates to means, an attempt. It’s an experiment. The seeking of experience for its own sake. Something we simply try.
And so, this concept of the essay extends beyond the medium of writing.
In film, an essay is less about plot and more about the evolution of a theme or idea.
In photography, an essay could be a series of photographs with accompanying text meant to address a certain issue.
In music, an essay would rely on the form and content of the sounds to guide the listener’s ear.
Even in the business world, an essay might be a short experiment or test in which we take risks to serve the customer better.
As long as it’s an attempt, it’s an essay.
Whether we are artists in a studio, entrepreneurs in a coworking space or employees in a department, it is the consideration of thought, the activity of intentioned thinking, that is most useful to our growth.
Fulfilling our role requirements might be urgent, but initiating and executing original work is important.
May we have the liberty to chase our ideas wherever they might lead, and may we achieve the autonomy to enable extreme innovation where it is least expected.
LET ME ASK YA THIS…
Do you have an automatic process for testing and evolving a new idea?
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Scott Ginsberg
That Guy with the Nametag
Author. Speaker. Strategist. Inventor. Filmmaker. Publisher. Songwriter.
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