"Fake Deep" or a Golden Artistic Philosophy?

“The closer we can get to the natural world, the sooner we start to realize we are not separate. And that when we create, we are not just expressing our unique individuality, but our seamless connection to an infinite oneness.” 

Rick Rubin wrote this in the “Submerge” section of his latest book, The Creative Act: A Way of Being, and it was lines such as these that compelled me to keep turning for 405 pages.  

Rubin’s resume as a producer speaks for itself. He has collaborated with a diverse and illustrious range of artists across various genres, including Johnny Cash, Beastie Boys, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Weezer, and Jay-Z, among others. I would guess you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn’t had at least one song or record on repeat that Rick Rubin had a hand in bringing to life. 

When I finish a book, I typically sit with it for a while before I bother to dive into reviews compiled of the thoughts of others. I don’t mind admitting this is largely because, if I’m on the fence, I’m not above being swayed by the popular opinion I get from Goodreads reviews. However, when I feel strongly about something I’ve read, I go with my gut. This was the mindset which prompted me to leave the following review on Goodreads, something I only recently started doing, as opposed to leaving it up to the stars (I usually fall pretty comfortably in the 3 or 4 our of 5). 

My review, left promptly after scouring through various other reviews, might lack a formal critique, but did not falter in expressing my most authentic thoughts: 

I have seen this book dismissed as superficial or “fake deep.” Perhaps I missed something, but perhaps the “Rubin method” isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay. I  think he struck gold here when it comes to something anyone, but especially anyone pursuing artistic ventures or generally trying to tap into their creativity could have on their shelf and regularly reach for when they want a bit of a re-centering in what it means and should mean to live a creative life.

The way I see it, when discussing a work born from a career, a discography, and a life such as that of Rick Rubin’s, is it not a bit cavalier to dismiss the advice he offers here as anything less than a way of being that has helped contribute to a massive amount of successful and beloved projects? Many of the records he has produced have stood the test of time and remain the favorites of individuals from multiple generations, and likely more to come. Putting my musical taste and bias aside, the cultural significance of his work is hard to dispute, and can easily serve as a reason to lean into what he has to say about the process of creating art.

What others see as “simple” or “fake deep”, which are both terms I saw used to describe the book, I believe is a talent of articulation by someone able to channel a lifetime of lessons learned and insight into concise and digestible areas of thought. To create a work that carries intellectual and philosophical weight while maintaining an easy-to-read and airy tone is a talent in and of itself. It is indeed a book of substance, rather than highbrow drivel, which is the real treat. 

There are endless shelves of literature in various specialties if you’re looking for something that goes into more detail in one area or another, but what The Creative Act provides is a roadmap through the creative process in a manner that is not dogmatic and allows the reader to identify with the idea that everyone’s process will be completely different. Yet, he makes a compelling case that there are some truths and ways of approaching our crafts and our lives that will facilitate a better environment for creation.

This book is not about music, it’s not even just about art. It’s about awareness, sensitivity, discipline, communication, connection, presence, doubt, challenges, and essentially what it means to be a person who feels called to share their kaleidoscope of perspective with the world.

It didn’t feel like something thrown together for a cash grab, which, from what I’ve seen, doesn’t seem to be Rubin’s style anyway (I’m obviously not an expert in his life or work).

I think it would make a 10/10 gift for any creative person in your life.

I loved what James Parker said in the Atlantic article he wrote about the book: “For all that, Rubin’s book will charge you up. With art, the stakes are high. In fact, they could scarcely be higher. You will be attacked by self-doubt, by the pressure to make a living, by a vulgarizing commercial system, and by “undermining voices.” The sensitivity required to make good art can leave you feeling … sensitive. But—for your life to fulfill itself—you’ve got to do it.”

The book is organized into 78 Areas of Thought, and, in my reread that I am embarking on, I am going to share my favorite lines and pieces of advice from each of them. If you’d like to explore with me, keep reading.

1. Everyone is a Creator: “Regardless of whether or not we’re formally making art, we are all living as artists. We perceive, filter, and collect data, then curate an experience for ourselves and others based on this information set.”

2. Tuning in: “If you have an idea you’re excited about and you don’t bring it to life, it's not uncommon for the idea to find its voice through another maker. This isn't because the other artist stole your idea, but because the idea’s time has come.” 

3. The Source of Creativity: “Art is a circulation of energetic ideas. What makes them appear new is that they’re combining differently each time they come back. No two clouds are the same.”

4. Awareness: “If something strikes me as interesting or beautiful, first I live that experience. Only afterward might I attempt to understand it.”

5. The Vessel and the Filter: “As artists, we seek to restore our childlike perception: a more innocent state of wonder and appreciation not tethered to utility or survival.”