Lessons from Elvis

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Lessons from Elvis

• Matt Metzgar

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Elvis An American Original

• A young Elvis was asked by an assistant at Sun
  Records, Who do you sound like?
• Elvis replied, I dont sound like nobody.
• Elviss unique sound and appearance was quickly
  embraced by young people across the country
• Interesting question what leads to people and
  ideas that are new and unique (creative)?

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Creativity

• Biologists have shown that all animals exhibit
  protean behavior (adaptive, unpredictable
  behavior - creative behavior)
• Protean behavior has survival value (ex. a rabbit
  escapes by running in a zig-zag pattern)
• In people, protean behavior manifests itself in
  other ways art, music, fashion, etc.

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Evolution and Creativity

• Evolution works through a process of
• Variation
• Selection
• Retention
• Cultural evolution works the same way new ideas
  and behaviors are created, and some of them are
  adopted by people and organizations
• Elviss unique music and style was accepted by
  many people and still appeals to audiences today

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What happens when creativity is blocked?

• Creativity may be restricted by our environment
  or by conflicting demands
• Research shows blocked creativity or blocked
  self-expression may lead to
• Depression
• Health Problems
• Alcohol Drug Abuse

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Elvis Creative Frustration

• In the 1960s, Elvis starred in many movies that
  were primarily money-making ventures
• Elvis desired more demanding roles that would
  challenge him as an actor
• Elviss management was also not interested in
  paying enough money to songwriters to obtain
  quality material for Elvis to record

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Elvis More Frustrations

• In the 1970s, Elvis wanted to play for fans
  across the world plans for an international tour
  were never completed
• In 1975, Elvis was approached by Barbara
  Streisand about starring in the movie, A Star is
  Born (a film which ended up winning several
  major awards)
• Elviss management ultimately turned down the
  movie role

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Elvis 1977 The End

• Friends felt that Elviss creative frustrations
  were the ultimate reason for his death
• It was the creative disappointment that killed
  Elvis. The drugs were just a Band-Aid. Jerry
  Schilling, close friend of Elvis

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Summary

• Creativity is a natural human behavior
• When creative self-expression is blocked,
  problems may occur
• Creative self-expression is of value whether the
  creative output is selected or not

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Applications

• Creativity can contribute to a youthful outlook
• It is important to keep generating new ideas and
  keep trying new things
• Variety is not only the spice of life, but the
  motor of cultural evolution

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Questions?