From Consumers to Creators

[DeWayneTN]

I was in a conference workshop tonight in Dallas with Andy Crouch (no relation), author of the upcoming Culture Making: Recovering Our Creative Calling. He said some pretty interesting things about the paradigm shift of culture that happened first at the turn of the 19th century and that's happening now.

Crouch pointed out how the general terms for people in American society back then was "citizens" but it has now transformed to "consumers." He believes, and laid out a great case for, the next paradigm shift will be "from consumers to creators." He contrasted the explosion of McDonalds in the 20th century to the recent popularity of Fresh Markets, Whole Foods, and Food Networks where more people are finding value in personal accomplishment.

He even got more specific in that people want to create and many even start blogs but they die down, because they want disciplined creativity, like learning to play a piano. It can't just be creating for creatings' sake but creating striving for excellence and getting better.

It was good stuff. I'd recommend reading his book when it comes out in August:
http://www.amazon.com/Culture-Making-Re ... 043&sr=8-1