Creativity is a basic human urge. It exists within the minds of everyone.
When confronted with a problem, simple or complex, we create an answer. It is
not dependent on education. An educated person will use the solutions of the
past. One without that knowledge may come up with a completely new solution.
It is not dependent on “talent.” That notion has been completely debunked. Cre-
ativity is not dependent on natural resources. It exists within the minds of people,
all people, of all colors and kinds, rich and poor, old and young. People in Sili-
con Valley and Austin and New York have it. So do people in Monroe and Lake
Providence, Wisner and Waterproof, and all the spaces in between.
not dependent on education. An educated person will use the solutions of the
past. One without that knowledge may come up with a completely new solution.
It is not dependent on “talent.” That notion has been completely debunked. Cre-
ativity is not dependent on natural resources. It exists within the minds of people,
all people, of all colors and kinds, rich and poor, old and young. People in Sili-
con Valley and Austin and New York have it. So do people in Monroe and Lake
Providence, Wisner and Waterproof, and all the spaces in between.
If the business leaders of Northeastern Louisiana learned that there was a vast,
deep pool of oil underground, the investment capital would flow in rivers to
exploit that resource. Accepting that not every well would strike oil, investors
would spend millions in the expectation of success and knowledge of possible
failure.
deep pool of oil underground, the investment capital would flow in rivers to
exploit that resource. Accepting that not every well would strike oil, investors
would spend millions in the expectation of success and knowledge of possible
failure.
There is a vast pool of a resource more valuable than oil.
Ideas are more valuable than oil, and creativity produces them. What people
have in Silicon Valley, Austin, and New York that we don‘t have is a climate that
nurtures creativity and turns it into profit. It would be wonderful to produce
that climate all across our region. I propose to start with one place. The ways in
which a regional creative cultural climate is created are complex, and they
require serious strategies over a long period of time. Others can explain all of
them far better than I. What I am proposing is a simple first step in that direction.
have in Silicon Valley, Austin, and New York that we don‘t have is a climate that
nurtures creativity and turns it into profit. It would be wonderful to produce
that climate all across our region. I propose to start with one place. The ways in
which a regional creative cultural climate is created are complex, and they
require serious strategies over a long period of time. Others can explain all of
them far better than I. What I am proposing is a simple first step in that direction.
That step is Starr Homeplace.
At present we are a collection of old buildings and equipment in the middle of a
cotton field. We are located near the center of the twelve-parish area we hope to
serve. We don’t have a lot of money. We don‘t have a lot of manpower. What
we do have is a big idea. We are about 14 miles from I-20, on a soon to be wid-
ened Federal highway.
cotton field. We are located near the center of the twelve-parish area we hope to
serve. We don’t have a lot of money. We don‘t have a lot of manpower. What
we do have is a big idea. We are about 14 miles from I-20, on a soon to be wid-
ened Federal highway.
What we are offering is a place for all the creative people of Northeast Louisiana
to gather on a regular basis. These folks are called “creatives” in the parlance of
the new creative economy. Creativity-based industries use “campuses” like think
tanks, giving employees unprecedented freedoms to think and explore. Arts are
held in high esteem, and the society is tolerant of all kinds of people in every
combination and nationality.
to gather on a regular basis. These folks are called “creatives” in the parlance of
the new creative economy. Creativity-based industries use “campuses” like think
tanks, giving employees unprecedented freedoms to think and explore. Arts are
held in high esteem, and the society is tolerant of all kinds of people in every
combination and nationality.
The coffee houses of 18th century Europe produced great literature and music.
They had a significant effect on the Age of Reason. A synergy develops when
thoughtful people assemble and bat strange ideas and
They had a significant effect on the Age of Reason. A synergy develops when
thoughtful people assemble and bat strange ideas and
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