How craving attention makes you less creative | Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Joseph Gordon-Levitt has gotten more than his fair share of attention from his acting career. But as social media exploded over the past decade, he got addicted like the rest of us -- trying to gain followers and likes only to be left feeling inadequate and less creative. In a refreshingly honest talk, he explores how the attention-driven model of big tech companies impacts our creativity -- and shares a more powerful feeling than getting attention: paying attention.

[beverlysuej]

"I'm an actor so I'm a bit of an expert on..nothing" gotta love his sense of humor.

[johnny_roots]

He as a public person and being able to admit to his insecurities and everything... Gotta admire how humble this guy is and the way he uses this to create connection with the audience.

[allthewayfrom]

I’m not an actor, but I took some classes many years ago. Our teacher used to say: “Be interested, not interesting.” This has been most useful advice for me when interacting with people and with the world.

[xorbe]

"See your peers as collaborators not competition" ... this is the entire problem with many work places. And people refuse to help each other!

[jenng.e.]

“If your creativity is driven by a desire to get attention, you are never going to be creatively fulfilled”

[ok.]

gotta admit, I clicked because Joseph Gordon-Levitt had my attention

[eydeet]

Im still freaking impressed that he just gave a 13 Minute talk without any note and barely slides (that like didn't even say very much) or anything with nearly no "uhm" or "ehm" and just riding the wave. Crazy

[FaustinaFalcon]

This is one of those things that most people probably know instinctively but need to be reminded of often, myself included.

[Samnang_than]

"I try not to see other creative people as my competitors. I try to find collaborators."

[mariosuena]

Wow I remember working with this guy at a greeting card company, super creative guy, said he wanted to be an architect or something.

[bradahn]

“Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.” — Albert Einstein

[kimberlybennie]

"the more I go after that powerful feeling of paying attention, the HAPPIER I AM. But the more I go after the powerful feeling of getting attention, the UNHAPPIER I AM." - Joseph Gordon - Levitt.

FOREVER MY NEW LIFE STATEMENT

[TheGoodfella]

Honest and ballsy. Social media is mostly just bad news.
I love this quote I came across on the internets - “I am in competition with no one. I hope we all make it.”

[alrightride]

actors can sound so wise and smart when not being interviewed by E news.

[ntk]

When someone shows such a severe lack of toxic ego and is so self-reflected, they have my attention 👌

[smilekids]

Funny. A week ago I deleted social media to focus on my music because I felt I was doing it just for the attention, I found this video today. I feel less stressed knowing I am creating for myself and not for others. It comes for naturally and sounds much better than when I produce just to get other people’s approval. Good talk, Mr. Levitt 👏🏼

[oldtrees]

*me on vid 10 of my YT binge: “I’m so glad I’m not addicted to Instagram.”

[matt.pma.kresnaputra]

Anyone hears that wavering in his voice? That way you get when you’re nervous talking in front of people? Thats adorable to see in a celebrity. It goes away when they clapped tho.

[skylinetigers]

I'm so glad I've found this, I'm a musician who is taking a break from social media as it was making me unhappy, anxious and unproductive, Joseph has explained so succinctly what the problem is, I am happy when I'm creating and unhappy when promoting and now I know why. Thank you x

[richardguernsey]

"...if we can just stop competing for attention then the internet becomes a great place to find collaborators."