Is it exactly possible to come up with an original idea/perspective or is everything subject to and based off of our surroundings? Example: Over the years of civilization our music has slowly morphed into new sounds/genres/styles etc. When someone comes up with a new sound, did they create that sound, or was it some how affixiated into their head from natural sounds, songs they’ve heard from the past, etc? If they did create it themselves without “outside help” how exactly can we think of things that don’t exist unless basing it upon something else.
I’m not sure if I’m posing this question well, but I’d really like to know if there is such a thing as “original/creative thinking”.
I heard an anecdote once about a member of the Velvet Underground. His amp fall out of the back of the truck during the trip to their first recording studio. When they got to the studio they discovered that the amp was damaged, but they used it anyway because they liked the sound (and couldn’t afford a new one of course).
Clearly this was an original sound. Many times original things occur by accident, but many original people deliberately engage in accident-prone activities trying to find original ideas. What is required is an ability to create a steady stream of unique accidents and a sense of taste refined enough to know which accidents are unique and special. Once a nice mistake is discovered, it is refined into art.