Creating in 2025… – Edutechniques

#notAI – this hashtag should become the norm for when it is actually a human typing. I think I’m a human. Still.

Reading Fahrenheit 451 last night, I got to thinking about imagination, creativity, motivation, and…other things I can’t remember. I thought back to my last posts on here two years ago and how much has changed since I last had the drive to actually write out my thoughts (other than my work related Colining). As I type this, I think about the AI derived slop I read every day on LinkedIn. People (AI) are writing 6 paragraphs to describe and analyse how a pancake is a lot like education. How about starting to type and seeing where your brain takes you instead…maybe a pancake is just a pancake? We used to take pencils for a walk back in primary school. Give it a try.

Way back when I last tried to think creatively in November 2023, ChatGPT was emerging from its cave of wonder and the university I was working at were ringing the alarm bells and dusting off the overhead projectors for students to present their understandings so they couldn’t cheat. TikTok was in full swing. And it was post c-word. Rough times in education. Still is.

Fahrenheit 451 has many ponderings and musings into how technology/mass media can nullify curiousity and creativity. Captain Beatty, before he met his crusty demise, had this to say:

“Cram them full of noncombustible data, chock them so damned full of ‘facts’ they feel stuffed, but absolutely ‘brilliant’ with information. Then they’ll feel they’re thinking, they’ll get a sense of motion without moving.”
— Captain Beatty, Part One

TikTok. Schools worldwide are controlling the use of student phones. Back in 2011 I was literally preaching from the pulpit to put iPod Touches in 5 year olds hands…a winky face I suppose would be appropriate here. How do I feel about 2011 Colin in the cold, harsh light of 2025? Right place, right time, I guess…

I’ve changed. I’ve seen children walking school hallways with heads down and phones out. It’s not good. The message remains the same though; moderation and thoughtful purpose. Allow space for head space. I’ve dived into TikTok. It’s a delirious and dopamine filled media experience that you will love. And instead of reading a book you will whittle the hours away with the best videos TikTok knows you will want to scroll through has to offer. I haven’t read a book for months at a time over the past few years. I’ve consciously made an effort to change that. It’s so hard to read 300 pages now. Imagine the kids….jesus….

Consumption is easier than production. Yay I’ve heard that before so I just reproduced it here. I want to sketch everyday. I don’t. I enjoy it but I don’t. The last time I did was, again, two years ago (AI has ruined me!!!). I did some observations of my mum’s dog; Benji. Thanks Benji. Good dog. I still divide and multiply as if I was 8 years old. I also like to doodle like if Klee and Kandinsky adopted me.

I want to photograph more. I don’t. I did have a mission to photograph a stork a month ago so I did. I need more missions. Left is a heron. They have question mark necks. So there.

One thing I’ve stuck with over two years is podcasting. It was a new hobby to watch more movies more regularly. Think about them more. Analyse them more intently. And have fun with an old school friend. That’s something I’m happy with and have regularly learned new skills from. And why I’ve been stumbling through TikTok whilst posting small clips from our episodes.

Fahrenheit 451 made me want to create something. Is this anything? I guess it’s something. From nothing. The issue I face is (and I think many others) is that, in 2025, it is becoming harder and harder to find the time, find the energy, find the way out of the consumption diet, and tunnel a way into learning more, being creative, and being more thoughtful about more meaningful things that enrich us as individuals. The temptation to use AI to develop any form of creative response is tantalisingly tempting but the critical responses to AI derivations are only going to increase.

Related