There another thing that limits imagination though, and that is the hypermodern environment most of us live in. It’s an environment that is sapped of the conditions that are needed to cultivate imagination.

Hollywood is in crisis. Streaming has created heavy competition. COVID really hurt theatrical box office. There's been a lot of corporate take-over in the last 20 years. Appeasing shareholders is a fast track to destroying creativity.

Some people have a more active imagination than others but having space to imagine used to just be a natural extension of daily life. No that long ago you could not have filled your life with nonstop media consumption even if you had wanted to. We're the first few generations that actually have the option of giving up the space that would have been... See more

It's also rare. It's rare because it requires the artist to do the actual work of imagining, something few set aside the time it takes to do these days. Imaginative work also takes a real commitment to the product of your own imagination. When you're in deeply imaginative territory with a work, you can't look to others for confirmation that you're... See more

I think even if we’re drawn towards sequels and remakes, fundamentally we go to the cinema to see and feel new images. So much of mainstream cinema has become a retreading of tired ground.

Existing as an artist who makes imaginative work is certainly possible, it's just a question of what the culture chooses to pay attention to. Realistically I don’t know if the kinds of films as strange as David Lynch made will ever compete with the blockbuster tentpoles, I think it’s very possible that ship has sailed. But I also don’t really feel... See more

An artist has many tools at their disposal, and imagination is one of them. Imagination is what takes art beyond being mere remix of the world or other works and into completely new territory. Deeply imaginative work is the work that takes us so far into new territory that it's almost unrecognizable. Imaginative work is what helps us discover new... See more

Part of why David Lynch was so imaginative is because he had an extremely dedicated meditation practice that he used to come up with his ideas. He consistently meditated for 40 minutes a day. You don't need to meditate to imagine, but if you want to make imaginative work you do need space in your life somewhere for your mind to wander... See more

Trying to stay competitive with streaming, executives are trying to make larger profits and screenwriting is one way they can cut corners and (temporarily) hide that they cut corners. When an audience looks at a trailer they see the flashy costumes, set design, actors they love, crisp cinematography, or an IP they recognize, but you can't really... See more