Howard Cosell. Edgar Allen Poe. Vin Scully. William Shakespeare. Harry Caray. Stephen King.
These individuals all have something in common. Can you guess what it is?
In today's age, we are surrounded by the media. We see just about everything. Cell phone cameras with live feeds, broadcasting networks with cameras, paparazzi hiding in the bushes; there are very few moments without a camera rolling in the eye of any situation.
Here's a challenge. Close your eyes and think of a word, or a sentence, or a moment in your lifetime. What do you picture in your mind? Is it something you saw on TV? Is it a memory you will never forget?
The names above are people who can give you the canvas to paint on. Whether they are writers, authors, sports/news reporters, journalists, etc., they have the ability to illustrate a message in a manner which triggers your creativity, allowing YOU to use their descriptiveness to paint the picture.
It is easy nowadays to resort to watching TV or checking social media to find out all that is going on in the world. Keeping society instantly updated on news and events (and tabloids) is one of the pros (and cons) of today's technology. However, part of me thinks this has caused us to take a step back in the creativity department.
Growing up, my grandfather, dad, and uncle would often times listen to baseball or football games on the radio while driving. Being the inquisitive young lad I was, I asked, "Why don't we go home and watch it on TV instead of just listening to it?" My grandfather, or "Grumpy" as we used to call him, gave me the best answer.
"It's better this way."
He's right. The broadcaster's voice helps to paint the picture, but your imagination is what really brings it to life. The beauty of it is everyone imagines things differently, whether it's the slightest tweak or a drastic contrast.
The same goes for books, articles, newspapers, or any form of writing. The words are there, but how your mind interprets the material is unique in its own way.
It even translates to music (as long as you aren't watching a music video). Music, with or without words, sends your brain down memory lane or on the imagination highway.
So read a book, listen to a radio broadcast, or jam to some music. It's time to turn on your imagination channel. No, I'm not talking about the TV.
