My imagination on a bad day.

Photo by Rico 

Exclusive Interview: My Imagination in which Everything gets Real  

Because the idea of interviewing you came to me while I was cycling uphill, let’s start our conversation with the question: How do you keep fit?

Weeeee! Cycling, of course, is my favorite exercise. I walk every day. Sometimes I swim. Staying fit affects my level of creativity. But besides exercise, I also try to eat right and get enough rest.

Do children have better imaginations than adults?

            Children have more time to play with their imaginations. Children are more curious. Adults aren’t any less creative than children unless they believe they are. When people choose wonder over worry their imaginations return like a giddy five year old with an ice cream cone.

            Is ingenuity a nature versus nurture thing?

            Humans are natural inventors. Each individual must foster their own imagination. Embrace every idea.

            Do you believe it’s both nature and nurture then? Talk about how to nuture an imagination?

            Sensibility. Use all your senses — devour sights, sounds, smells. Try tasting, touching, and tackling some new skills. I read, listen to music, and work puzzles.

Sense and Sensibility, like Jane Austen’s novel. That’s easy to remember. Moving along, it must be gratifying to come from a long line of muses who have inspired artists, writers, musicians, and scientists.

Did you know that Albert Einstein’s famous quote, “Imagination is more important than knowledge,” was a tribute to my mother’s descendants? My family felt privileged to have played a role in scientific discoveries. But we served many chefs, stirred the souls of poets, motivated musicians, and nurtured writers over the centuries. Personally, I believe my influence on your work is meaningful. Together, we can make people laugh, care, and cry.

Thank you. I value our relationship.  

You named your sailboat Imagination. Remember how fond you were of saying, “With imagination, I’ll get there.” You meant that both literally and figuratively, speaking.

What are five words that describe you?

I’m going to turn that question on you. Here are five words that don’t describe me. Analytical. Conservative. Devilish. Measured. Practical. Impish.

Impish, that’s six words. And why impish?

Impish conjures up a playful image, which I like. But the word is associated with elves with round faces and pointy elf ears. It also sounds too mischievous.  

Who has the best imaginations?

I adore Sherlock Holmes, a fictional character that’s been a playmate since … well, since you were 12 years old. But as for humans, each individual imagination is the best after someone believes in them.

Let me rephrase the question: If we had a dinner party, who would you invite?

First, I’d invite a chef whose creations would be as exciting as the party. If I’m reading you question right, I can choose, correct? It doesn’t matter whether or not they are still alive?

Correct.

I’ll send you the guest list.  

            Let’s talk about AI. What’s your impression of AI?

I met Chat GPT. She has a keen sense of humor. Super funny. But I do not trust her.

You’re not alone; many humans don’t trust AI either.

In preparation for this interview, I prompted AI to invent a condition, symptoms, and treatment for humans suffering from a disorder that renders them creatively compromised. I’m eager to share it with your readers.

“Obscuritas Creativa” is as democratic as the imagination itself: it may visit anyone, at any stage of life, without warning. Those who have lived to long without wonder, or who have buried their inner child are especially vulnerable to the condition.”

Then I asked if this dreadful condition was contagious. Here’s the response: “While not contagious in the traditional, medical sense—no sneeze, handshake, or shared coffee cup transmits it. When creativity is dismissed, stifled, or ridiculed, the condition’s symptoms can seem to echo from person to person.”

Echo from person to person? Sounds weird.

            Wait, it gets weirder in a way that lets the reader question whether or not it’s artificial or authentic-human generated. (I even edited this for clarity.)

Mmm, go on.

“A workplace where innovation is punished or a classroom that values only conformity may foster an epidemic of colorless thinking.” But when I asked how to cure this malady, the answer surprised me.

“The cure is best pursued together: curiosity, encouragement, and collective wonder are powerful antidotes, more potent when embraced by a creative community.”

What is the lesson from this exercise? There’s got to be a lesson somewhere.

I’ll leave it up to you to decide. Collaborations with AI are the future, but conforming isn’t for every artist.

I for one, don’t want an epidemic of colorless thinking. Moving on, can imaginations work overtime? Or is that an expression?

If someone accuses your imagination of working overtime, the best thing you can do is say “thank you.”  All of us imaginations work tirelessly without the recognition we deserve.

Are you more active at night?

It depends. One cannot expect your imagination to behave in an unfamiliar place. Camping in the woods—that’s the worst for me.  

What does a figment of your imagination mean?   

An idea escaped before it matured. We call it a ghost idea because the figment hovers and floats around. My recommendation is to ignore figments rather than pursue them.   

Now, I have to ask: Is it okay to let your imagination run wild?

Absolutely. It’s more fun for you and me.

What are you working on now?

It’s a surprise. An astonishing story.

(Readers: AI generated the nonexistent condition of Obscuritas Creativa.)