What is it about coffee shops in America that inspire people? They are a catalyst to novels, artwork, girlfriends catching up, studying, whatever you want to do- American coffee shops all do their best to advertise that they are the homiest place to do this. I wonder in particular though, what is inspiring about a small tiled room with people entering and exiting frequently, noise levels fluctuating, and indie music being played at a level that is impossible to ignore? What is it about these features that draw people in- regardless of their age or hobby- to sit, drink, and be inspired?
By many standards, coffee shops- especially chains- should be the opposite of inspirational. They’re all the same, after all, and inspiration should be something unique to you that speaks to you alone. We seem to have developed a conglomerate muse. If there is a finite amount of creativity in the world, we’re all screwed. I tend to believe, however, that as we have an infinite Creator, we have been granted limitless creativity- a gift or a curse, depending on how you use it.
That’s what I find is the most amazing piece of this whole puzzle I’m pondering- there is a set structure of coffee shops, they all follow similar patterns, have similar atmospheres, have outrageous prices- yet they all feed us new ideas on a regular basis. Something infinite from something finite.
Anyway, I need to get back to my coffee.
