Amie McNee: Making Art Is a Radical Act in a Collapsing World

In a TEDxManchester talk on March 1, 2025, creative coach, writer, podcaster, and author Amie McNee argued that making art is an essential and radical act, not self-indulgence. Addressing the despair of creating art amid global crises such as the Gaza conflict and geopolitical tensions, she urged audiences to reclaim their stolen attention and use it to create rather than consume. McNee noted that people spend an average of 10 years of their lives scrolling on phones, absorbing advertising messages. She countered criticism that AI has diminished the motivation to create by emphasizing the need to get one's hands dirty and make things literally, as art must be a vehicle for humanity. She cited examples like a grandmother passing down recipes or a father writing poems for his child as creative acts that make the world a better place. The talk, lasting 13 minutes, convinced the audience that creativity—broadly defined as anything that leaves a mark or legacy for humanity and future generations—remains revolutionary.