there are no blueprints

For a few summers in high school, I worked in a research lab similar to Raul Cuero's. I was never interested in the complexities behind medical science and the like, so I only remember a few key details, like how cancerous cell samples from Labradors helped fuel an overwhelming majority of our research. Back then, I found the entire setup peculiar. But at my age now, coupled with the insight provided in Cuero's interview, I understand that the decision to use samples from dogs (our beloved pets!) is quite ingenious. And it's also better than the alternative: testing on live rats.

Cuero gave the impression of being a remarkably talented and sensitive man, possessing the rare combination of emotional and logical intelligence. One of my favourite parts of his interview involved his thoughts on having a "universal consciousness." I've felt discrimination like he has, albeit the prejudice I faced is somewhat different and shouldn't be compared side by side (in short: I'm Iranian, a woman and often butt heads with the ideals prescribed by my parents and culture.) I've battled these prejudices and judgements constantly, and for a bulk of my life I resorted to pathetic defeat. A life stuck in the in-between is not pretty.

I realised recently (one to two years ago) that surpressing my creativity and artistic goals in favour of classical conventions of success does nothing for me. It only caused more harm. I constantly felt like I was in a fugue state, and it made me feel alien to myself, not only to other people. 

Like Cuero, I see creativity as a tool that can be used to bypass social rules and limitations. 'Transcendence' is the key word here. Creativity is based upon innovation and the Unknown (quoted verbatim from the interview.) The shock of what isn't expected jolts ourselves from this fugue state that I spoke of, and quite frankly, shuts naysayers up. It levels all playing fields.

And an example of creativity without a consciousness: