Common Discourse is a project designed to help others (and ourselves) think through creativity, focus, and intentional work—from Alex Tan & Alice Otieno.
Every Tuesday we share an idea from us, a quote from somebody else, and links worth sharing. On Fridays we invite a guest to share images from their camera roll and a sound that resonates with them.
After several delays, Kenz and I landed in LA at 1am following a 10 day stint in New York. 5 hours later we drove through the desert to a small town on the California / Arizona boarder, called Quartzite, where we met the breeder of our new English Setter puppy.
Miro is as sweet as he looks, and while our algorithms are full of puppy training content and we are sleeping less than normal, each day gets better.
We’ve learned a lot about ourselves having a living, breathing thing dependent on us but I’ll spare those stories for now as I inch my way back to some sort of normalcy.
— Alex
An idea from us
I. THROUGH
Try different notes until the noise becomes music. Rearrange until words become language. Sketch until it becomes a picture.
The only way through is by going through.
II. START AND FINISH LINES
It’s amazing what happens when we start by being honest about the reality of where we are today, then make decisions based on whether or not they will move us closer to the vision we have of ourselves in the future.
I’ve never known a successful runner that is unsure where they’re supposed to line up or what they’re running toward.
III. INVISIBLE
It’s natural to desire recognition.
Writers might want to convince readers how good of a writer they are by using complex language.
Designers might want add a few more graphical elements that lack meaning.
Photographers might push their colors unnaturally in editing to stand out.
But what most of us really want is to read and it feel like a natural conversation with a friend, see design with necessity and purpose, and look at images that bring clarity to what is already beautiful.
All great creators are nearly invisible.
A quote from somebody else
“Paved roads show us where we ought to go, but desire paths are made when we step off the road and let our hearts decide the way. They seek out the most direct connection between where we are and where we wish to be. Worn by the pressure of passing feet, they’re declarations of a kind: there is another way.”
— Desire Paths, David Farrier
Links worth sharing
🌐 HTML Review is an annual journal of literature made to exist on the web
📂 What Can You Do, Folder Poetry
🤳 Swipes is a site by PORTO ROCHA documenting their on-going research on AI generated photography
🐾 Terra is a pocket sized compass designed to be a companion for mindful walking. Reminding us that not all those who wander are lost
Thanks for consuming!
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