12
"Creativity does not rely upon chaos. Creativity thrives in a highly ritualized environment. Let's not confuse the two things simply because both of the metaphors involve a flame."
"How else would you describe creativity?"
"As that which expresses the truth, the beauty of form."
"Of ritualistic form, of process."
"Yes. All else is chaos."
"You don't believe things have natures outside of the chaos, outside of ritualistic convention?"
"Whatever such nature exists is secondary and accidental. Only human will can counter chaos, and that is what is of the utmost importance, not this nature you're talking about. But if fools outside The Organization wish to spend their time studying it, who am I to stop them?"
"If you don't encourage the study of such nature, what do you model your rituals on? Are they raw inventions of will, of whim?
"Of course not. We graft our rituals onto existing practices and beliefs, so there is a sort of organic evolution of the anti-chaotic creations of man."
"How do you choose which practices and beliefs to graft upon?"
"The Council of Elders votes on the matter."
"I see. But the youth get no voice?"
"The Elders take the youth into account."
"And the youth can hope to one day be Elders."
"Exactly."
"They know they'll one day get to exercise absolute power, within The Organization, over ritual, over beauty - if they make it to the Council. How does one get on the Council, anyway?"
"The ways of the Council are for only the Elders to know. And the power is not so absolute as it might seem. We have, as you might imagine, strict rituals we follow - processes, rules - and we tread very lightly concerning our existing forms."
"How do you know when you've created enough ritual, when The Organization is saturated?"
"I'm sorry, but that is a matter for the Council."
"I wish I could sit in on one of your Council meetings."
Elder laughed. "Understandably! They are wondrous affairs."
"Well, I need to find Student. Good luck with your work, Elder. May your forms be beautiful."
"Thank you, Director. And good luck to you with your own new ritual concerning the sociology of chaos."
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Nick Pappas, pappasnick.typepad.com
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