The Creative Transformation of Despair, Hate, and Violence : What We Can Learn From Madonna, Mick Jagger & Co

A creative lifestyle is not a luxury, but a necessary elixir of life. Only with creativity can we overcome despair, hatred and violence, in the world and in ourselves. Using selected examples of exceptionally creative people, Rainer M. Holm-Hadulla encourages us to unleash our own creative and social potential. Readers become acquainted with Madonna and Amy Winehouse, John Lennon, Jim Morrison, and Mick Jagger. Before wandering through their lives and work in the interplay of constructive and destructive forces, they encounter the "Big Five of Creativity": talent, ability, motivation, resilience, favorable environments. The author has theoretically researched their interaction over decades, tested them in practice and drawn the conclusion: The creative transformation of human destructiveness is our chance to lead a fulfilled life in social responsibility. Preface 6 Contents 8 Creativity: An Elixir of Life 9 Everyday and Extraordinary Creativity 9 Five Basic Principles of Creativity Illustrated by the Examples of Extraordinarily Creative Personalities from Different Domains 10 Gifts and Talents 10 Knowledge and Skills 13 Motivation and Interest 15 Bipolar Personality Traits 16 Nurturing and Challenging Environments 19 The Creative Process 21 Creative Coping with Despair, Hate, and Violence 23 Overcoming Depression and Aggression in Pop Culture 26 Madonna: Dancing to Live 27 Madonna’s road to success 31 John Lennon: The Dreamer 33 What made John Lennon creative and what hindered him? 39 Amy Winehouse: The Fallen Angel 40 Amy Winehouse: creativity between creation and destruction 43 Jim Morrison: The Shaman 44 The success and failure of creative coping with depression and aggression in Jim Morrison’s life and work 53 Mick Jagger: Sympathy for the Devil 55 Consequences for a Creative Lifestyle 65 Childhood and Youth 65 Everyday and Political Creativity to Cope with Despair, Hate, and Violence 66 Literature 69 Further Books by the Author Related to the Topics of This Book 71 Index 72