China’s creative revolution

We can do more than martial arts.

In the June issue of Fast Company, writer Aric Chen showcases emerging creative talent in China. As a Chinese-American, the article not only inspired me, it reminded me that we all, as human beings, have the capacity for creative change.

Chen interviews many young Chinese artists — filmmakers, designers, DJs — and one of many things they have in common is ambition. Jennifer Wen Ma, 33, is a member of the Creative Committee of the 2008 Olympics, and she says she wants to “stun the world.” And 37-year-old Ou Ning is a writer, filmmaker, music promoter, and designer.

It’s clear that none of these people are ever bored. Can we say the same about ourselves? It’s very easy to wallow in boredom. I’m not talking about relaxation — I mean absolute, total boredom, one of the many symptoms of laziness; the feeling that you know you should be doing something productive but don’t seem to have the willpower for it.

It’s a sad, embarrassing excuse for failure. And those artists in China obviously won’t allow it to become a part of their vocabulary.