SWEAT Theory of Creativity

This was the theory we wrote for my creativity class...

SWEAT Theory of Creativity

There are many individuals that feel as though inspiration and creativity has been given to them by a higher power, while there are those who feel that they had to work for their fame. What these individuals fail to realize is the fact that their creativity instead emanated from a typical bodily function; sweat. Throughout the ages, sweat has been the process that has cooled the body down as well as released toxins from the body through the pores. Little did we know this small act of human biology was in fact that root of all creativity.

Below are some famous examples of historical creativity that demonstrates the accuracy of this particular theory. Although these individuals were unavailable for comment, we as researchers believe these findings to be historically accurate and factually based.

Examples Through History:

1623: William Shakespeare is slaving over his latest play entitled Macbeth. In all of his other plays, he felt he had grasped the true essence of the words when he came up with that one memorable line that stuck with the viewer even after the play was over. His most memorable line being, “to be or not to be,” from Hamlet. Having hit his prime so early, Shakespeare started to feel the pressure from his adorable fans and really began to sweat. Unfortunately, just as he began to reach his creative stride, one large droplet of sweat fell from his brow onto his last piece of good parchment. As he looked down at his paper, he realized that his sweat was ruining his work. As he hurried to remove the sweat droplet from his paper, Shakespeare exclaimed, “Out, out damn spot.” It was then that history was made.

1808: In a dark room a disgruntled Beethoven sat banging his piano keys in frustration. His work had been mediocre lately and the music halls were beginning to revoke their offers for concert sessions. Desperately, Beethoven knew his life’s work was about to come to an end if he didn’t compose the next great symphony, after all, a pianist can only go so far on the backs of others. Unfortunately, everything Beethoven attempted to composed resembled ‘Ring Around the Rosy.’ Not wanting to be associated with the plague, Beethoven felt that his work needed to be more substantial, but where to begin. Toiling for hours over his piano, Beethoven began to sweat. He noticed droplets had fallen onto his keys. Taking a handkerchief from his breast pocket, he slowly wiped the sweat from the G and E Flat keys to the tune of, “Da Da Da Da.” The tune that emerged became the foundation from which the great composer would arise. Who know that sweat was so musically inclined?

1929: A young aspiring artist by the name of Walt Disney was on a train headed to see a man about a job. Disney knew that this prospective employer would be looking for someone with new and fresh ideas to turn their company around. Strapped for ideas, Disney began to sweat. He knew if he didn’t come up with a good idea, his chances would be shot. In the heat of the moment Disney took a napkin from his table and wiped his moistened brow. After laying the sweat soaked napkin back onto the table, Disney noticed an image revealing itself through the sweat droplets. Three drops of sweat had converged into a seamless image. Upon seeing these shapes Disney exclaimed, “I’ve created a mouse!”

1968: It was a hot afternoon in Mexico City. The Olympic Games were underway and the athletes were gearing up to take part in these historic proceedings. For some of the athletes, the extreme heat did not play into their performance, but for others, the heat was brutal. Puddles of sweat were building up all over the track causing delays that would make a typical rain delay look like overcompensation. Unfortunately, the Games were on a time schedule that had to be kept. Multiple events were occurring simultaneously, one of which was the high jump. Jumper after jumper tried to clear the bar, but very few succeeded. The tension was mounting and the sweat was building. After several jumpers, one by the name of Dick Fosbury stepped up to take his turn. Fosbury took a deep breath and began to make his approach. Just as he plants his foot, it slips out from underneath his body causing him to fall. Knowing that all of his momentum is going forward, Fosbury throws himself backwards with his hands in the air in an attempt to find his balance. As he heads backward, he clears the bar while still on his back. For the first time in history, an athlete cleared the bar without going over face first. This revolutionary move was later termed the Fosbury Flop. In hindsight, who would have thought that something named a flop would be considered such a success?  

These are just a couple of the examples of how sweat has proven itself time and time again over the centuries as the source of all human creativity. I know there may be those who are skeptical of these findings, but we ask you to consider the following:

In an age that requires immense creativity in order to advance in this world, why are we always being told not to sweat the small stuff?

Hasn’t it been said that ‘Sweat is the cologne of success’?

And more importantly, if these findings are not factual, how do you explain the age old Art Critic saying, “You Stink,” if sweat isn’t involved?