Embracing Uncertainty : How Writers, Musicians and Artists Thrive in an Unpredictable World.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Heffernan, Margaret.

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource (231 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Bristol : Policy Press, 2025.

Summary:

Most people hate and fear uncertainty. It causes such stress and anxiety that we often choose certain surrender over doubt, becoming passive, dependent, addicted—and more anxious than ever. Doubling down on the certainties promised by technology and micro-management only makes things worse, leaving no opportunity for innovation, adaptation or invention. Artists live with uncertainty constantly—but instead of waiting for the future, they run towards making it, with agency and freedom. What can we learn from them, about facing into a future that grows more uncertain daily? At a time when organizations of all kinds crave innovation but complain their people lack creativity and initiative, the arts have never been so essential to our future. We may not all be artists, but we can learn to think like them. Margaret Heffernan makes a compelling argument for the vital integration of art into all aspects of our lives and for artists to guide us with their stamina, freedom and endurance.

Contents:

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

Contents

List of figures

Acknowledgements

Prologue: the cost of certainty

Paraorchestra

1. Deep hanging out

Piers Plowright

2. Into the forest

Gabriella A. Moses

3. Call and response

Rada

4. Prepared minds

Christine Vachon

5. Kill all the poets: art and politics

Rafts

Epilogue: the benefits of uncertainty

Endnotes

Index.

Notes:

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

ISBN:

9781447372691

1447372697

OCLC:

1507699203