Written by Jenkin Au
Edited by Alan Ng
Photography by Jenkin Au

Many have the mentality that if they can do something then they can just do it, whatever “it” is. If they can play sports, then they will just play and if they can write, then they will just write. There is nothing wrong with this mentality. In fact, it is a positive state of mind encouraged by the greatest minds across the world. Unless there are bad motives, the human capabilities should not be limited.

However, if you are doing something for more than just for fun, there is a limit to what you can do by physically doing it. There will always be a cap to ones abilities when it only originates from you and your mind alone. The creative reaches of a human mind only go millimetres deep into the brain, when it’s true capabilities are miles high. Observation has compensated for that impotence, serving as jet packs for creativity. It is impossible for our world to be where it is today without observing and then doing.

Association and dissociation are then one of the most important factors of standing out in the crowd of the commons. Due to abundance of similar desires in the world, there are always people that are trying to achieve the same thing. It’s important for one to associate themselves with a recognizable identity, and stay original. It’s also important to dissociate yourself with people that are on similar grounds as you. Step on top of them and kill ‘em.

In order to write, one must read what others have written. In order to film, one must watch what others have filmed. And in order to play, one must play with one another. There will always be a supporting foundation – almost an opposite factor – which everyone must take into account in order to truly understand what they are trying to accomplish. Around the world, there are harsh critics of biters – people who take others’ ideas. But biting is the foundation for the only way to remain creative. Biting means that you have observed another person and that you respect it enough to make it your own. And from there, you derive creativity and originality, making something else completely new. Without this aspect of life, the world will remain a very dull place, consisting of repeats of like-minded people.