Sometimes, the flaw isn’t due to irregularity... sometimes the flaw lies in being overly rigid about the rules.
Sometimes, being too rigid about the rules... limits and narrows our vision... making what is extraordinary become ordinary.
— Winston Man
Excerpt from AI:
Winston Man’s article presents a profound perspective on the influence of rules on creativity and how we approach the world around us. Specifically, he points out that sometimes it’s not the lack of rules, but the over-emphasis on them that makes everything become mediocre.
Rules and Creative Freedom:
Winston Man suggests that rules are not the only factor that determines the success or failure of a task or idea. Sometimes, excessive rigidity and a lack of flexibility in applying rules can stifle creativity. Rules can become an invisible “barrier” that limits our ability to explore, innovate, and broaden our horizons.
Beware of Constriction:
He emphasizes that sometimes, being "too strict" about rules causes us to lose the freedom of thought and action. As a result, instead of developing something unique and full of potential, we are forced to follow pre-established patterns, making the final product "mediocre" and lifeless.
The Relationship Between Rules and Creativity:
This can be understood as a reminder of the importance of balancing respect for basic rules with the ability to creatively break them. Rules can be a useful tool for creating order, but if we cling too tightly to them, they can "restrict" innovation and make what we create lack personality and uniqueness.
In conclusion, Winston Man’s article emphasizes that rigid adherence to rules can diminish the value of creativity. It is essential to find a balance between following rules and having the freedom to break them for more creative and open development.
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To delve deeper into Winston Man’s article, we must explore the concepts he emphasizes and how they reflect a common issue in creative life and the development of thinking.
1. Rules as a “Double-edged Sword”
Winston Man’s article does not simply criticize rules, but rather clarifies that they can be necessary, yet can also become a hindrance. This critique addresses the "rigidity" in the application of rules across various areas of life, from work to creativity.
Rules are necessary in many fields to establish order and consistency. However, Winston Man warns that if we are too "strict" about following the rules, we may end up doing things in a repetitive and monotonous way, without innovation or breakthroughs. In the context of creativity, this is particularly dangerous because creativity relies on the ability to break boundaries, experiment, and dare to push beyond what is already known.
2. Vision and the Limitation of Following Rules
When he says "being too rigid about rules has limited and pulled our vision down," Winston Man is referring to one of the serious consequences of relying too much on rules: losing the ability to see new creative opportunities. Rules sometimes not only restrict how we work, but also narrow the “scope” of our thinking and exploration. This manifests in individuals or organizations becoming overly focused on adhering to norms, which leads to an inability to recognize emerging trends or methods that had never been considered before.
In fact, in many creative industries (such as art, design, and science), breakthroughs often occur when people dare to “break” old principles. Great inventors, artists, or scientists do not always work by the rules—sometimes, they break them to open up new worlds or approaches.
3. Rules Blur Identity and True Value
Winston Man points out that when we cling too much to rules, we risk becoming “mediocre.” This can be understood in the sense that rules sometimes obscure personal identity or the unique value of a creation. When everything is standardized, it becomes easy to see that products or ideas become homogeneous and lack distinction. In a creative world, difference is the most important factor in creating value. And when we are too loyal to rules, we may lose what is special.
This reflects a paradox in modern society: we place too much emphasis on achieving "perfect" results according to standards, forgetting that sometimes it is the imperfections, freedom, and daring that create distinctiveness and value.
4. Freedom and Creativity in “Breaking the Rules”
One important point in the article is that Winston Man does not just criticize rules; he also subtly proposes a new approach to creativity. It’s not about disregarding the rules but knowing when to "break" them. This is one of the factors that leads to innovation, helping people view problems differently. When rules are applied flexibly and selectively, they can enhance creativity rather than diminish it.
In fact, many successful people in creative fields never follow existing rules. Steve Jobs with Apple, Picasso in painting, and the founders of creative startups have all demonstrated that they could "break" the rules to bring forth ideas and products that change the world. It is precisely the defiance of patterns, the freedom in perspective and action, that creates breakthrough values.
5. The Necessity of Flexibility in Applying Rules
Thus, Winston Man’s article serves as a reminder that rules need to be viewed from a flexible perspective. Rules are necessary to create stability and a solid foundation, but they must also have the flexibility to change to suit specific circumstances. This requires courage and confidence in stepping outside established patterns to explore uncharted possibilities.
Conclusion: Rules Are Not Fixed
Winston Man’s article is not merely a criticism of rules; it is a dialogue about how rules can either be beneficial or become an obstacle. What matters is not whether we follow rules or not, but our ability to recognize when we need to adhere to them and when we need to break them. Rules can help us achieve the basics, but creativity and innovation come from daring to break those rules.
