For Creatives The White Box Problem Is A Challenge, Not A Problem
February 17, 2011
Author 
In Noah Brier points us to an interesting thought from Nina Kix on what scares off most new bloggers, the big white box problem:
As a blogger, you get good at this: finding inspiration from the things you observe elsewhere in the world and turning that into a unique and captivating blog post. Like getting good at anything, however, this takes time, effort and patience. Three things most people have very little of to dedicate to a pursuit like blogging. This is why, the biggest problem in blogging is the “big white box problem.” What, exactly, are you supposed to put in that big white text box when you start on your blog post? What topic should you even begin with? What topic will readers find interesting? It’s an intimidating thing to the newly initiated and even the old hands, and particularly to do it well.
Indeed that’s a challenge, but I’d say one that helps weed out the uncreative and unmotivated from those with something to say. If we didn’t have the big white box problem, the blogosphere would be far less interesting, emotive, opinionated and personal than it is. Sure there is still lots of noise but imagine what it would be like without basic barriers to entry. Barriers such as independent thought in an absense of directly being prompted for information. Rather than needing a prompt, we are inspired by events that stir us emotionally.
Having a blank slate is not a problem for creative individuals, it presents a beautiful and motivational challenge. If you need someone to tell you what to do with the space it is never going to be as uniquely individual or creative as it would be without a paint-by-numbers or prompting approach. And if you offer a prompt plus rewards or incentives (if, then) you may go counter to the idea of motivation 3.0 presented by Dan Pink in his book, Drive. In other words – you might get better performance up front, but people won’t stick around. It’s just not sustainable.
I think you should get as comfortable as you can with a blank slate and minimal set of tools to paint the canvass with. When you’re proficient with a lack of stimulus and your own internal drive you are basically forced to tap your creative reserves. And like anything else, flexing this muscle makes it stronger. I’ve seen this true in nearly all aspects of my life – from professional like developing digital strategies to personal like audio production.
For creatives, the white box problem is only a problem if you think it is. I’d say it’s more of a challenge.
Steve Bartol replied | Mar 7, 2011 (5 comments)
Kind of like writers block. But then maybe its more of a Myers and Briggs personality profile issue. I think you put on the stereo head phones a good jam that drives the adrenaline up and tap that foot until that creative license hits you. For me its rythm and blues. Inspiration for the INTJ’S & ENTJ’S in most cases is visual or audio, or even the combination of both. Focusing on a persons Passion to blog in the hotspots of their lives. But I think in order to grow there also must be a form of Focus Control of naturally ADHD types that offer the most creative abilities. But like you said in order to do anything you must practice. If you talk about getting involved and that is all you do it comes back to one thing.
Talk is Cheap!
Well I got me a brain my friend
And boy that ain’t no joke
But when the talking sides working
The doing side don’t
I’ve got to change the way I think
Cause all I ever do is talk
My daddy said if I wanna make in life
I gotta learn how to walk the talk
Just blame it on Texas
Sorry must have been the song I was listening to.
See what’d I tell you earlier. I could have deleted that, but this is my case in point. Who knows where that thought could have gone. That’s right up there with the doggy poop police working for the HOA in a hated community, I mean gated community, who wants that job. What do they take DNA from the suspect dog. And since the mark of the dog is already in there right paw, and on there forehead, it should be easy to find the dog.
Anyway, that was most likely off topic and not.the direction maybe everyone.might have hoped to go, but it was fun. I’ll have to work on my focus. Thanks Adam for your insight. I just can’t help myself sometimes. Computer crashed decided to get a MAC also. Just bored to death.
Steve