Getting “Artfully Cacophonous” with Sean Reid: Collecting, Signaling, and Childlike Wonder

Sean Reid was a guest on one of our recent Escape Pod Zoom calls, and he dropped the phrase “artfully cacophonous,” which led to some good laughs!

He talked about all the toys and other fun items he collects, and I was reading the part of Austin Kleon’s ‘Show Your Work’ where he talked “Don’t be a hoarder,” and I’m so glad Sean isn’t hiding his fun decor – I think you’ll appreciate this interview!

“I spend a lot of time desperately trying to be childlike and not childish,” Sean

Some ideas we hit on during the course of our chat:

• People are always sending signals, and these signals can tell a story and create connections with others (read my post ‘What signals are you sending?’).
• Maintaining a sense of childlike wonder and approaching life with “beginner’s eyes” is a good way to ward off cynicism, and crucial for creativity and continuous learning
• Connecting with others, whether through online communities or local meetups, provides energy, support, and opportunities for collaboration
• Sean said “just make some shit” – creating things simply for the joy of it is 1000% valid, all without focusing on any potential financial return

A big theme to leave with here with this episode is the importance of engaging with good people, and getting into conversations that provide energy and inspiration