“Spike Lee was weird.”
A few days ago a business acquaintance of mine relayed this information about Lee; they’d lived in the same dorm while attending Clark Atlanta University.
He described Lee as a lanky, geekish type. Apparently Spike’s name was the only cool thing about him.
It got me thinking.
What is ‘weird?’
Who determines what is or is not ‘weird?’
What formula causes people to get out the ‘you’re weird’ stamp of mild disapproval?
Odd, off-kilter, eccentric, wacky, abnormal, outlandish, crazy, unorthodox, freaky, insane, . Fill in your own adjective in the blank. It’s very subjective.
A New Formula
There is a mathematical formula for, what some, deem as weird. It works backwards.
WEIRD = DIFFERENT + FEARLESS
Those two words ‘different’ and ‘fearless’ make others feel uncomfortable. Some even feel threatened by the out-of-the-box thinking.
It scares them. It’s a challenge. A throw-down. A ‘last man standing.’
And it’s exactly where you want to be as a creative.
Different is .
Did you fill in the blank? Even though ‘different is good’ was/is a slogan for a fast food restaurant, there’s a lot of truth to it.
If what we’re creating, thinking and doing isn’t different . . . why do it?
Why not bring something different, new, refreshing, innovative?
Time for weird. You’re in good company.
I agree that any number of people who would relish the moniker of weird. Weird is liberating. Weird is unique. Weird is a label used by those who don’t understand and don’t have the patience to try. Call me weird, but I kinda like being called that…
Creativity loves company! Go-go gadget weirdo!
Thanks for the comment Andy. I always appreciate your input!
Such a great definition of weird. We are all weird in some way. Great post.
Great stuff, and I totally agree.
Seth Godin’s book “We Are All Weird” seems very appropriate 🙂