The Dark Side of Creativity: Brian Eno’s Photoshop Addiction
The Unlikely Story of a Musical Genius’s Digital Obsession
Brian Eno might be best known for his pioneering ambient oeuvre, but it turns out that beneath the calm exterior, the man has been battling a terrifying inner demon since the ’90s. I refer, of course, to his crippling Photoshop addiction.
The Diary Entries of a Digital Descent
Eno published a series of diaries covering the year 1995, titled A Year with Swollen Appendices. The book covers a period during which, believe it or not, the artist was laid up with swollen appendices. And not only are they a fascinating insight into the musician’s daily life, but the whole thing might as well have been sponsored by Adobe, so frequent are the references to Photoshop.
The Lethal Time-Waster
"Too long playing with Photoshop – lethal time-waster – like chronic alcoholism. Should schedule it in the diary and not use it otherwise," reads one early entry. Another describes how he "wrecked the morning by resorting to Photoshop."
The Existential Crisis of Digital Manipulation
But it seems Photoshop speaks to the entirety of the human condition for Eno. While some Photoshop references are playful and even juvenile, ("enlarging bottoms, mostly"), they also take a turn for the existential: "My first Photoshop dream. I dreamed I was erasing my past in Photoshop, but it turned out that I was using the ‘clone tool’ – so instead of erasing I was just copying chunks of the past into the future."
Conclusion
In a world of addictive tech and ‘brain rot’, there’s something delightfully nostalgic about the idea of a Photoshop addiction. It’s certainly sounds like a far more creative use of time that doomscrolling. But if you do decide to check out the best Creative Cloud deals, please do remember to edit responsibly.
FAQs
Q: What is A Year with Swollen Appendices?
A: A Year with Swollen Appendices is a diary series published by Brian Eno in 1995, covering his daily life during a period of time when he was laid up with swollen appendices.
Q: What is the significance of Photoshop in Eno’s diary entries?
A: The frequency and emphasis on Photoshop in Eno’s diary entries suggest that he was struggling with an addiction to the software, which he refers to as a "lethal time-waster" and "like chronic alcoholism".
Q: What does Eno’s Photoshop addiction reveal about his character?
A: Eno’s Photoshop addiction reveals a more playful and humorous side to his personality, as well as a deeper introspection and self-awareness about the impact of technology on his life and creativity.
