Do you know what happens down at the crossroads?
Legend has it that Robert Johnson—the most famous of the Delta blues musicians from the 1930s—took his second-hand guitar and went down to the crossroads in the middle of the night. When the young plantation worker returned home, his guitar skills had taken a quantum leap.
The overnight improvement in Johnson’s playing wasn’t just significant; it was supernatural. Something strange happened down at that crossroads.
Word got around that Johnson ventured to the crossroads to meet the Devil himself, and had sold his soul to become the best blues guitarist who ever lived. Sure enough, less than a year later, Robert Johnson became the king of the Delta bluesmen, and created, played, and sang the greatest blues anyone had ever heard.
Johnson is now known as the “Grandfather of Rock and Roll,” and has influenced artists ranging from the Rolling Stones and Led Zepplin to The White Stripes and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Not too shabby.
What if you could achieve the same level of success and influence with your content?
The simple truth is you can.
You’ve just got to get yourself on down to the crossroads. And you won’t even have to sell your soul to the blogging devils of personal attacks and manufactured controversy to do it.
You coming?
Come on Down to the Crossroads… in Florence, Italy.
In between the 13th and 17th centuries in Florence, Italy, the powerful Medici family ruled the land. Some believe that the Medici family was at one point the wealthiest family in all of Europe.
The Medicis used their power and wealth to support poets, philosophers, scientists, architects, painters and sculptors from all over Europe and elsewhere. Talented people of diverse disciplines converged on Florence to enjoy the patronage of the Medici family, which established a creative and cultural crossroads in Tuscany’s capital city.
This creative convergence kicked off a little something called the Renaissance. You may have heard of it.
The Renaissance was one of the most innovative eras in human history, and many credit the Medici family as the catalyst that made it possible. By attracting talented souls from so many different fields and cultures, the Medicis caused these varied artists and scientists to come in contact with one another, trade ideas, and discover the intersections that allowed for giant leaps in creativity and innovation.
In other words, allowing people to seek and find the connections between different disciplines and cultures led to an explosion of exceptional ideas. This intersection of ideas produced huge advances in literature, philosophy, art, politics and science from the 14th through the 17th century, starting in Italy and spreading throughout Europe and the rest of the world.
Exploring the intersection of ideas can also lead to an explosion of exceptional content. Your writing can spread throughout the social media landscape, and lead to huge advances in links, traffic, subscribers and revenue. And it won’t take four hundred years to happen.
You still with me?
How to Locate the Intersection of Ideas
Sorry, you’re not going to find this intersection on Google Maps. But it certainly might help if you strive to go different places, both mentally and physically.
When you boil it all down, finding the intersection between seemingly unrelated ideas is all about observation. You need to be constantly looking in order to find the connections.
But you also need to be looking in different places. In order to think different, you’ve got to observe different (bad grammar powered by Apple).
Here are five ways to observe differently:
1. Learn for Life
To me, this is the most important and essential trait for any creative person. You’ve got to go well beyond learning everything in your niche and try to simply learn everything. Naturally curious people seem to come up with ideas easier than most, so kick your curiosity up a notch and investigate any topic that interests you. Then, learn about things that don’t interest you—you might be surprised by what you end up enjoying. You’ll also see more connections between things you thought were unrelated.
2. Change Perspective
Leonardo da Vinci believed that to truly understand something, you need to look at it from at least three perspectives. Leo did alright for himself, so maybe his advice is solid. The ability to look at something that everyone else is looking at and see it differently is the hallmark of creative thinking, and practice makes perfect. Train yourself to dispense with the commodity of opinion and examine things from multiple perspectives. You’ll be amazed at what you find when you play Devil’s Advocate.
3. Free Your Mind
Many people think that creativity is something to schedule, like a staff meeting or a luncheon. While setting aside time for “brainstorming” and “thinking outside the box” can be helpful, you’re still perpetuating an illusion. The truth is, there is no box, and you have the ability to be creative at any moment. Allow yourself to recognize your own delusions and social constructs, and start questioning your assumptions at every opportunity. Better yet, reverse your assumptions and see where you end up.
4. Travel
One of the great benefits of online business is freedom from the tyranny of geography. And the more we see of the world and different cultures, the more our minds open up and see limitless connections and possibilities. One of the worst things we do to ourselves in terms of creativity is to stay within the realm of the familiar. So make it a point to get out, do new things, and travel to new places. You’ll have to check with your accountant to see if a trip to Prague counts as a business expense, but there’s no doubt it can seriously help your business.
5. Listen
Are you a talker or a listener? This is something I’ve really tried to work on, because I learn so much when I shut up and listen. Every person you meet has a perspective that differs from yours, and you can learn amazing things from simply listening. Just like the Medici family brought all sorts of different people together and sparked something phenomenal, you too can create a content renaissance by interacting with as many different people as possible. Don’t hang out with people who reflect your existing beliefs, hang out with people who challenge you.
So, there’s five ways to find the intersection of ideas. And yet, I sense some are still unconvinced.
How about an example?
An Example Every Blogger Understands
Richard Dawkins is an evolutionary biologist. In 1976 he wrote a book titled The Selfish Gene that moved his field of expertise sharply ahead, thanks to his assertion that evolution occurred at a purely genetic level, irrespective of species and organisms.
In the midst of making his point, he went off on a tangent, and that tangent is what he’s most well known for. Essentially, Dawkins equated the way genes propagate throughout the gene pool—jumping from organism to organism through reproduction—to the way ideas spread from brain to brain.
In short, Dawkins coined a term that demonstrates the natural selection process for ideas.
He called an idea that spreads from brain to brain a meme. You may have heard of those.
Dawkin’s insight about the way ideas spread sprang from the intersection of genetics, social psychology, and cognitive science. The meme of the “meme” has hugely influenced marketers, historians, sociologists and bloggers, and it helped Malcolm Gladwell reach his Tipping Point.
With that, I think you’ve got it, but we’ve got time for one more question.
Anyone?
So Where Did This Article Come From?
I’ve always come up with ideas by seeing connections between seemingly unrelated topics, even before I found out it was a “technique.” Recently, I was discussing the topic of ideas with Tony Clark, and he recommended I read The Medici Effect
I barely made it through the first chapter before seeing the connection between intersections, crossroads, and the “blogging devils.” This particular intersection gave me the idea to lead with the Robert Johnson legend for an article on innovative online content.
I’m not sure when I first heard the tale of Johnson and his devilish deal, but it was my teen years at the latest. Remember the 1986 movie Crossroads? That’s the one where Juilliard music student Ralph Macchio befriends an aging bluesman, and wins his new buddy’s soul back from the Devil by beating Steve Vai in a guitar duel by ending with a classical composition.
Oh wow… the intersection of classical music training and electric guitar for the win. The Devil never had a chance once Macchio figured out he had to go lateral.
Seriously, sometimes the key to “supernatural” content success is to simply read lots of books and watch lots of movies. That’s the shocking truth… creating compelling content can actually be fun. All you have to do is pay attention and spot the connections, whenever and wherever they may come.
OK, so you get the idea behind the intersection of ideas. Now let’s watch the Karate Kid stomp Steve Vai on guitar in front of the Devil and everyone.
Come on, take a few minutes… who knows, you might come up with your next great idea.
Previously in the Innovative Content series:
- If Content is the New Advertising, What Does Your Advertising Say About You?
- A Three-Step Approach to Strategic Content Development
83 comments... add one
#1 Michael A. Stelzner → 01.16.08 at 1:42 pm
Interesting article Brian!
I think it is important to always look at ways others are doing what they are good at.
Don’t focus on “what they are doing,” but rather “how are they doing it.”
This allows me to find inspiration in the most random of places.
Keep up your good work and you better get going on your own book soon!
Mike
#2 Bas → 01.16.08 at 1:53 pm
Giving the ole mind a 180 spin is always fun and productive. Try to explain why people behave a certain way around you… Try psychology explanations, try sociology explanations… You will be amazed! Good for mental exercises and for a better world ….
Great post !
#3 Ben Settle → 01.16.08 at 2:21 pm
Hey Brian,
This post is one of the best lessons for getting ideas I’ve ever heard.
Ironically, they did a story about the “supernatural” crossroads/guitar player story you mentioned in the popular TV show “Supernatural” last year.
Ben
#4 Adam Snider → 01.16.08 at 2:42 pm
What an awesome article, Brian. Definitely a crossroads of ideas…great read, and great ideas for fostering creativity. Plus, anything involving Robert Johnson and dueling guitars can’t be half-bad! :)
#5 Milena → 01.16.08 at 3:00 pm
That was an absolutely superb read. A crossroads of good questions, historical research, examples well explained and unstoppable forward momentum in the writing. The clip from Crossroads was just the cherry on top.
#6 How To Rule The World → 01.16.08 at 3:13 pm
what a great read, and something to think about all day. Thanks for the great post ;)
#7 lawton chiles → 01.16.08 at 4:04 pm
“I went down to the Crossroads, tried to flag a ride…”
#8 Janice C Cartier → 01.16.08 at 4:06 pm
Kick Ass! I said it here before and I will say it again, muses and masters come from all kinds of places. One of your most relevant posts IMO, especially in an attention economy. There is a lot of time sucking stale air out there. You are a fresh breeze…and right on point. All best, Jan
#9 Catherine Lawson → 01.16.08 at 5:30 pm
Wonderful article. And the Medici Effect is going on my amazon wish list right now.
The funny thing is - I was telling someone today that i don’t really do memes, but I think this article has changed my mind.
#10 James Chartrand - Web Content Writer Tips → 01.16.08 at 6:09 pm
Man, when I read, “Come to the crossroads… In Florence,” I was groaning. “Oh man, not *another* damned conference I can’t go to!!”
This was brilliant, and I love the story of the devil at the crossroads.
I think in my case, I’m a guy who keeps thinking, “If he met the devil, so can I…” I’m always trying to figure out how to make that happen.
Damned if I’ve gotten there yet!
#11 Brian Clark → 01.16.08 at 6:19 pm Copyblogger
James, you’re already there. All you have to do is realize it.
#12 Harrison McLeod - Web Content Writer Tips → 01.16.08 at 7:10 pm
You couldn’t have chosen a better analogy, Brian. I’m always looking for that intersection of ideas. It becomes a game after a while to see how I can make two totally unrelated topics work.
Now that I think about it, some of the blogs I enjoy most have a habit of doing that with their posts. It’s like reading an old O. Henry story where there’s a fantastic twist at the end.
@James: Congrats, bro, you made the big time!
#13 Redneck Renaissance Man → 01.16.08 at 7:36 pm
Quite simply, that may be your best yet.
When you get ready to travel, come on up to my lakeside retreat and we’ll grill some of that there Medici and I’ll let you listen whilst I talk ;-)
#14 Shane Kane - TitleSuccess.com → 01.16.08 at 9:12 pm
It’s not everyday you read a post on copy that references Ralph Macchio ;) On a more serious note this is a very inspiring post with great examples.
I definitely need to work on number 4.
#15 Ryan Holiday → 01.16.08 at 9:29 pm
Delightfully obscure!
#16 Ryan Holiday → 01.16.08 at 9:30 pm
God I love obscure references
#17 Brian Clark → 01.16.08 at 9:52 pm Copyblogger
Ryan, please forgive me… I totally forgot you hadn’t yet been born in 1986. :)
#18 Jim Kukral → 01.16.08 at 11:22 pm
Yet another amazing piece of content Brian. This is quite possibly the best blog online today in terms of helpful, high-quality content? I think so.
#19 Kinshuk Sunil → 01.16.08 at 11:32 pm
Excellent read.
I really agree with what you have to say about being creative. I just wanted to suggest an addition into the ways of observing differently, which i find works best for me and is open for deliberation:
Try Unique things
Creative ideas are not just a mental exhibit; one way of having loads of them is to keep doing stuff even if you find that millions before you have already done that and don’t be discouraged by failures. Just keep doing stuff, hone your skills and you will innovate. You will come up with something brand new and sparkling. And this, of course, utilises the first five ways to an extent too.
I just started my day with this excellent article, I am gonna think creative all day :D
#20 Gab "SEO ROI" Goldenberg → 01.16.08 at 11:57 pm
Brian, I loved the storytelling you put into this post. The devil at the crossroads (perhaps related to the old practice of hanging pirates and criminals at crossroads?). The Medici in Italy (there’s a great drama we watched in my college class on the Renaissance btw, on the Medici; I can’t recall the name but if you find it, you’ll know it almost immediately and love it I’m sure). The guitar kid vs the Devil.
On a related note, the Quebec ministry of education tried to do this with its reform of a few years back. They called it ‘transversal competencies’ and were expecting kids from grades 1+ to make these connections. The reform failed because you need a basic minimum of knowledge before you can spot connections like that and also because the new grading was gibberish [not to mention everyone passed]. In hindsight, if they’d pushed those ideas at the college level, it would have been brilliant.
One last thing: I noticed you ended the excerpt at the end of a sentence. If you’ve seen this great post from jonathan fields, perhaps you might share why you did it that way as opposed to cutting the sentence midway?
http://jonathanfields.com/blog/how-to-make-every-word-you-write-unputdownable
#21 Melissa Donovan → 01.17.08 at 12:14 am
Damn! There’s that word meme again! Just today I blogged about how that word grates on my nerves. You, however, have softened it a little, and put into much better context, so thank you. This is a beautifully written piece.
#22 Alik → 01.17.08 at 1:48 am
here is another video for you http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVFRkrei1lQ
and then another one [the killer one]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tislJu9Dls
then he continues here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BO0fmkSA80o&feature=related
PASSION!!
#23 Joseph → 01.17.08 at 2:12 am
Hell yeah! Great article man. I think it is one of your best in my opinion. Much was put into this one and it shows. Thank you. I like your #2 “Leo did alright for himself, so maybe his advice is solid”, I dig the humor.
Hmmm, trying to give a useful idea generating tip…I think EVERY serious blogger should carry a small pad/pen with them at all times (I do) because you never know when a kick ass idea will hit you for a post. You should always be ready both consciously and subconsciously.
By the way Steve Vai, no words. (great artist) And if anybody is down in new york, check out some great blues tunes at a place I like to go to called TERRA BLUES on Bleeker Street in Greenwhich Village. Cool joint.
Thanks again.
#24 Gerson → 01.17.08 at 2:50 am
Great post!
#25 kher Cheng Guan → 01.17.08 at 4:46 am
wow! you really went one long journey to arrive at those 5 brilliant points. thank you brian. keep it up.
#26 Joanna Young → 01.17.08 at 5:07 am
I enjoyed this Brian, and it helps to join some of the dots in my “Teaching Sells” learning too.
One question though which I hesitate to put to the copyblogger but… there are at least three big ideas here which could easily have worked as resource-rich posts on their own. Was there a particular reason behind working them into one bigger article like this?
Joanna
#27 James Chartrand - Web Content Writer Tips → 01.17.08 at 7:43 am
@ Joanna - Power of three, perhaps?
@ Joseph - Ha, I do that, too. I have papers and pen in my coat pocket, my car’s glove compartment and at my computer desk. Plus I have a whiteboard in the kitchen and one on my office wall (can we say, Jamie gets distracted easily?)
@ Gab - The Quebec Ministry of Education is a joke and uses our children as guinea pigs. There have been so many changes that I can’t keep up, and I hope they settle everything before my toddler hits kindergarten. I know my teen sure as hell suffered thanks to some incompetency.
@ Ryan - S’okay, man. I was born way before ‘86 and still have to ask Harry stuff like, “Who’s Steve Vai?”
@ Brian - Thank you. Seriously.
#28 Patsi Krakoff, The Blog Squad → 01.17.08 at 8:17 am
This is yet another post of yours, Brian, that I’ll keep in a special folder I use for inspiration. As I’m leaving for Mexico in the morning, I will be looking - and listening - for the crossroads…with fresh eyes and an open mind.
#29 Creative Content Crossroads « Unintelligible → 01.17.08 at 8:36 am
[…] A most interesting read involving Robert Johnson, The Medicis of Italy, and Ralph Macchio. No, really. […]
#30 Brian Clark → 01.17.08 at 9:21 am Copyblogger
Hi Joanna… I had to show how the different ideas related to one another for the article to work. After all, if I asked you earlier what Robert Johnson, the Medici family, Richard Dawkins and Ralph Macchio had in common, you’d likely say “Absolutely nothing.” :-)
#31 KiP → 01.17.08 at 10:12 am
When I was getting my MFA, we used different terms, reframing for changing perspectives, etc, but you are right on target. And a reminder from a new venue is excellent.
Thanks, this is important.
KiP
#32 Kenji → 01.17.08 at 6:09 pm
Great article, and book recommendation. Thanks!
Here’s a free widget, developed for exploring some of those intersections using morphological analysis. (From another great book, The Universal Traveler)
http://www.grasshopper.com/idea-md
#33 Linker Barn: Friday, January 18 → 01.18.08 at 12:32 am
[…] Supernatural success at content crossroads. […]
#34 How To Give Head College → 01.18.08 at 5:47 am
Great recommendation.
http://www.howtogivehead.wordpress.com
#35 bonchibuji → 01.18.08 at 7:29 am
really interesting..i ll try to get the book medici effect during this weekend…
#36 Geoff → 01.18.08 at 1:31 pm
It’s kind of buried in this article, but it’s worth repeating:
“Don’t hang out with people who reflect your existing beliefs, hang out with people who challenge you.”
Often we only find out what we truly believe in by reacting to others’ thoughts on a subject. We either change our minds or realize the depth of our own convictions. Either way, very little is learned by hanging out with people who always agree with you.
And the Vai clip is awesome. He’s one of my creative heroes.
#37 guitarFlame → 01.18.08 at 5:15 pm
I didn’t know the story behind the name of Crossroads. Very interesting :-)
#38 Maria Reyes-McDavis → 01.18.08 at 8:58 pm
Great, great article. I agree with earlier comment, its always a great idea to look at how someone does what they really do well.
Kudos.
#39 Andrew Weaver → 01.18.08 at 11:10 pm
Excellent article. I read it earlier today at work and made a mental note to come back and comment. I find the travel portion of your article to be very good. I’ve always drawn from some of my experiences in other places. Places outside my normal comfort zone.
I also enjoyed the Robert Johnson reference. I’ve always found that legend fascinating.
#40 WARREN GREELEY | BLOG :: business, writing, changing the world » Blog Archive » Another Reason I Love Apple → 01.19.08 at 1:39 pm
[…] was just linked to this video via CopyBlogger. It is a great example of why I love Apple. Their ideology fits their products and their products […]
#41 Luke → 01.19.08 at 8:36 pm
Brian,
You have written many articles that I have read but this one is one of your very best. It’s no wonder you are where you are. I learned something from reading this… which is something that never really happens to me. Plus as a guitar player I love that scene from Crossroads! I would have seen that 100 times!
#42 Farrukh Naeem → 01.20.08 at 2:23 am
Your post brought me to a crossroad, Brian.
And why it did that was not because of the ‘meme’ stuff which is expected on a blog. But the guitar story. And the Medici reference.
As an advertising copywriter working for one of the most creative agencies worldwide, I face the pressure to come up with ideas on demand. Stuff that has never been done before.
The best way I have felt to go around looking for ideas that have not been explored before is to go to places my likes, copywriters and art directors have not gone before looking for an idea.
Call it a crossroad, call it crosspollination. But it’s Media Arts. But it is really the point you have very eloquently made in this post. That, to do what we haven’t done before, we have to go where we haven’t gone before.
Thanks for showing us the intersection, Brian.
farrukh
#43 Farrukh Naeem → 01.20.08 at 2:29 am
Oops, I meant ‘Call it Media Arts’ not ‘But it’s Media Arts’. Expected elements in unexpected combinations is another way people describe creativity.
Once again, thanks fot this post. It is inspiring!
#44 Annie B Lawrence → 01.20.08 at 2:39 am
Love this post. I have been reading your blog for a while and get a lot of great inspirations and tools. This is one of the best I have read. Thank you.
http://loveambassador.blogspot.com
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#47 Nascar → 01.20.08 at 2:41 pm
Thanks for sharing these really good ideas. I think at the same point, the internet has already brought a lot of talent together, and much faster as before. That is why we continue to see a lot of good ideas from different sources all over the world today instead of one geographical mecca for technological advances.
#48 John - eVentureBiz.com → 01.20.08 at 2:56 pm
Great post, Brian. I think a lot of people hit a road block when it comes to getting down to the crossroads. The road block is their own self-confidence. “I mean hey, how can ‘I’ compete with Brian Clark when it comes to blogging?”
Years ago I learned a technique to train your mind to always look at things in multiple perspectives (and get you down to the crossroads).
Every time I wanted to do something but my mind told me it’s already been done or told me don’t even try because . . . - I’d write that down. Then next to it I’d write two reasons why I can do it.
I’d do this all the time and you know what? After a while I no longer needed to write anything down. I trained my mind to instantly look at the problem in a positive and often times creative way.
PS As a guitar guy myself, I love that movie and can never find it in any of the video stores.
#49 James Chartrand - Web Content Writer Tips → 01.20.08 at 3:03 pm
@ John - That’s interesting and I agree. I think many people sit there thinking, “How can *I* compete with **Brian**?”
I sit there thinking, “What am I going to do that *will* compete with Brian?”
Isn’t that half the fun? ;)
#50 John - eVentureBiz.com → 01.20.08 at 4:10 pm
James - that’s a perfect way to approach it, I like that! The problem is, once I hit on a great idea the ideas just keep flowing and flowing and the hardest part is formating it in a way that bloggers will actually read it.
By the way, does anyone know if the devil has a 30-day money back guarantee? ;)
#51 Brian Clark → 01.20.08 at 4:18 pm Copyblogger
Of course he does, but will he honor it? ;-)
#52 Brian Clark → 01.20.08 at 4:33 pm Copyblogger
Hey everyone, get this bit of trivia I just discovered when looking for the name of the classical composition that Macchio plays for the win. From Internet Movie Database:
“The updated classical piece at the climax of the film is largely based on Niccolo Paganini’s Caprice #5. Paganini, as the pervading myth has it, sold his soul to the devil for his musical skills. Steve Vai, as ‘Jack Butler’, replicates Paganini’s legendary rolling eyes, long unkempt hair and gaunt stature.”
Paganini is considered the most talented violinist who ever lived, and he was Italian. Another intersection.
Switch out the violin for the fiddle, and you’ve got The Devil Went Down to Georgia. OK, I’ll stop now. :-)
#53 Charles → 01.20.08 at 4:52 pm
When you boil it all down
Love this post.
#54 Blogsolid » Blog Archive » Taking Your Blog on the Road → 01.20.08 at 4:57 pm
[…] recent a thought-provoking article about boosting your creative process, Brian Clark of Copyblogger says this in favour of traveling: […]
#55 Janice C Cartier → 01.20.08 at 5:14 pm
@James…keeps your skill set honed, don’t cha think? I love that this post has gotten such a good response. Really. Vitality, can’t beat that. This will ripple, echo, and resonate.
@ Brian …way to go, B. and BTW. Very excited about the announcements re: Teaching Sells. from the audio last week. Yay, oh yay. Good stuff!
All best, Jan
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#57 Zen Problog » Blog Archive » Great Minds Speak: Vol. 2 → 01.21.08 at 3:01 am
[…] this article at CopyBlogger is the best I have read on how to make great content. It called The Content Crossroads: Supernatural Success at the Intersection of Ideas. And as an added bonus, there is a kick-ass video at the end of a Guitar-off. (It will make sense […]
#58 Design Sojourn | Strategic Industrial Design Blog » How I Simplified My Life and Became a More Efficient Designer → 01.21.08 at 5:34 am
[…] Clark, from Copyblogger, wrote about a similar concept in his article called “The Content Crossroads: Supernatural Success at the Intersection of Ideas“. In that article, Brian uses the example of how the Medicis, rich merchant families in Italy […]
#59 Working at Home Mom → 01.21.08 at 7:32 pm
What a really great read. I really found it to be informative and enjoyable. But of course I find that to be the truth about your whole blog.
#60 James Chartrand - Web Content Writer Tips → 01.21.08 at 8:32 pm
“By attracting talented souls from so many different fields and cultures, the Medicis caused these varied artists and scientists to come in contact with one another, trade ideas, and discover the intersections that allowed for giant leaps in creativity and innovation.”
Swap the Internet for the Medicis and you have the Crossroads.
(Can’t get this post out of my head. There’s something there that I can’t put my finger on… yet.)
#61 Brian Clark → 01.21.08 at 8:34 pm Copyblogger
Well James, you’re the first one I know of who has at least latched on to it.
What is the modern-day Medici Effect, hmmm?
#62 James Chartrand - Web Content Writer Tips → 01.22.08 at 6:35 am
I *knew* there was something. It’s been nagging at me like a stone in my shoe.
Well, I haven’t had much coffee yet and it isn’t quite 6.30am, but I’ll toss out some thoughts.
Let’s see.. the Medicis were powerful. They were rich, and everyone though they ruled the land. So everyone came to camp out, party, talk to each other… what they found was that being together in one place exploded their creativity.
Not the Medicis. The Medicis sat back and watched it all happen. The Medicis just provided the grass for the lawn party.
The Internet lets any of us travel to Florence, Italy (Thank god. Can’t someone hold conferences in Canada?) and we can all converge at the Medicis - or, shall I say, whichever A-lister blog we believe to be rich, powerful and influential.
We have a garden party on the blog lawn. The A-lister, like the Medicis, sits back and watches as we converse and talk, sharing and stimulating creativity.
But anyone can be a Medici. Anyone can have a lawn party. Anyone can call people from all walks of life together to collaborate in a think tank of creativity.
All the Medici had was some good real estate and the people’s perception. It was the people themselves who created the Renaissance.
(M’I getting warm?)
#63 Janice C Cartier → 01.22.08 at 9:39 am
Toss in Gutenberg’s little invention in the early Renaissance+ technologies from Asia( paper and wood block printing). Mix those with an increase in literacy among the middle classes and students…
And you have a viral spread of the vitality brought forth in Florence.
Gatekeepers like the Church and State formally held all the goodies….after, not so much.
What the Medici’s had was enormous power, wealth, a few pope’s in the family and lots of influence. Catalysts and commissioning agents par excellence.
We have them now…they are called hedge fund traders. But we have wordpress…. :)
#64 Pithy Bitch » Blog Archive » Thinking Outside The Box → 01.22.08 at 9:50 am
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#66 Franchise Pick → 01.25.08 at 6:19 pm
Great article, as usual, Brian.
#67 Milena → 01.28.08 at 11:31 pm
Dear Brian, just in case you thought this brilliant post of yours had gone cold by now, I take a moment to share my meager effort at applying the lesson you’ve tried to teach me. Thanks for the inspiration. Milena
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[…] The Content Crossroads: Supernatural Success at the Intersection of Ideas […]
#69 Men with Pens Web Content Writers and Freelance Writing Services → 02.13.08 at 12:55 pm
[…] are at the Content Crossroads. It’s time to make choices. The potential for revolution is ours. I, for one, will take the […]
#70 Jack Ventura → 02.15.08 at 8:02 pm
Thanks, Brian. It’s when I find great articles like yours that I thank God for being able to read and understand the English language (I’m Italian and live in Italy)! This article in particular is a great piece of advice: it made me think a lot and hopefully it’ll make me act accordingly from now on. I’ve read somewhere among the comments your post sparkled that you’re going to write a book, I really hope you do, and I’ll be glad to get and read it voraciously! :-)
#71 pinoy money talk → 02.20.08 at 11:38 am
interesting article.. I’m gonna bookmark this one. I’m learning a lot… I mean.. A LOT! for this website.
Keep on writing!
Btw, I have subscribed to your RSS feeds :D
#72 Three Great Resources That Won’t Cost You a Dime | Copyblogger → 02.23.08 at 12:21 pm
[…] when I mentioned the book The Medici Effect in my content crossroads post? Well, author Frans Johansson has released the entire book online in PDF format on The Medici […]
#73 Shane: content writet → 02.25.08 at 7:14 am
Brilliant!
I only recently read Steven Kings almost-autobiography, “on Writing” and the opinions you’re expressing are almost exactly his views with regards writing novels.
I love that you believe content writing can, and indeed should, be quality writign, skillfuly constructed and expressed.
Great Stuff!
#74 Finding Inspiration: 5 Blogging Secrets Inside an iPod at Personal PR → 02.28.08 at 9:37 pm
[…] for stopping by!Creativity, connection, inspiration. As a blogger, these are some of the most valuable commodities, regardless of your topic or niche. So it’s nice when they surface in the most […]
#75 5 Blogging Secrets in an iPod : Brazen Careerist → 03.02.08 at 1:30 am
[…] connection, inspiration. As a blogger, these are some of the most valuable commodities, regardless of your topic or niche. So it’s nice when they surface in the most […]
#76 Joseph Ratliff → 03.05.08 at 4:17 pm
Brian,
I especially like the “free your mind” part of this article.
The mind is an extremely powerful device. We waste most of what we can do with it.
Joseph Ratliff
#77 Anne Wayman → 03.19.08 at 11:01 am
don’t know how I missed this post, but it’s excellent… found if through http://menwithpens.ca/getting-creative-with-your-content
thanks
#78 The Blues, Robert Johnson, Creativity, Freelance Writing and Blogging → 03.19.08 at 11:20 am
[…] I found this: Getting Creative With Your Content It’s a decent rant about creativity, the lack of it, the way it stalls, along with a challenge to read Copyblogger’s The Content Crossroads: Supernatural Success at the Intersection of Ideas. […]
#79 Bill → 04.02.08 at 9:20 am
And I thought the devil and crossroad guitar skills leap originated with the Coen brothers. Who knew?
;-)
#80 BDB → 04.02.08 at 11:36 am
Hi, it seems the YouTube video is missing, maybe this could be the right one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTDhubVihIQ
#81 Men with Pens Web Content Writers and Freelance Writing Services → 04.02.08 at 8:35 pm
[…] was much the same a month or so ago, when I read Brian’s post on The Content Crossroads. His words haunted my thoughts for a long, long time and they probably will for as long as I […]
#82 Stephen Hopson Interview with Harry and James, Men with Pens, Part II of II → 04.08.08 at 8:34 pm
[…] Clark from Copyblogger wrote a post once about the Content Crossroads (http://www.copyblogger.com/content-success/). That post still haunts me today, and I think about it often. I feel it reflects where I am in […]
#83 Men with Pens Web Content Writers and Freelance Writing Services → 04.27.08 at 5:09 pm
[…] me a changed man. Not many people can do that. Want to know what I’m talking about? Read the Content Crossroads post and you’ll […]
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