Movie recommendations in which the main character gives up his/her own success or place in society to pursue an unpopular social cause or to help unpopular person or people. Bonus points for movies based on actual events. [more inside]
posted on Jun 23, 2008 - 37 answers

I am looking for music which would be good for school prizegiving for children between 4 and 12 years old and their parents. We are in Britain so anything in the charts from here would be even better. [more inside]
posted on Jun 7, 2008 - 1 answers

I'm looking for ways to inspire my spouse to ask me out. [more inside]
posted on Jun 2, 2008 - 18 answers

Have you ever known someone with so much artistic potential, who does nothing with it? [more inside]
posted on May 25, 2008 - 52 answers

What are some powerful examples throughout history of public figures or concepts that have successfully united disparate people?
posted on May 23, 2008 - 24 answers

I really like looking at pictures of beautiful/clever/interesting products. What are some frequently updated blogs that feature good pictures of really cool stuff? I'm talking about pictures of clothing, gadgets, prints, handmade goods, kitchen implements...pictures of almost anything tangible, and the featured items don't have to be for sale. [more inside]
posted on May 8, 2008 - 32 answers

I'm in a rut. I need information graphic inspiration. [more inside]
posted on May 5, 2008 - 6 answers

I have a large image collection that I use for illustration reference. Are there any programs (I have a mac, but could get access to a PC if there's something cool) that can play with large collections of images in unexpected ways? [more inside]
posted on Apr 8, 2008 - 6 answers

Asking for a friend: I'm looking for a short story/anecdote/or whatever that encapsulates the teacher/student relationship. A sentence, short story, poem, song or novel where the point is that education doesn't end at graduation and that teachers - in their infinite adult wisdom - will always have something to learn from their students.
posted on Mar 17, 2008 - 12 answers

I'm looking for really terrible creative works made by well-regarded artists. For example, Picasso's secret crappy drawings, or John Coltrane playing out of tune. I welcome examples from all creative pursuits from all eras: literature, music, art, dance, theatre, film, architecture, graphic design, etc. [more inside]
posted on Mar 4, 2008 - 40 answers

I need to recultivate my artsy hobbies, most specifically my writing and drawing. The problem is that I can't seem to initiate anything - I have no new ideas, nothing to work on. I'd also like to grow as a writer, but I'm my own worst critic and stop before I start (fear of failure and whatnot) - I'd like to hone my skills but I'm petrified of, well, sucking. [more inside]
posted on Feb 27, 2008 - 22 answers

Advice or sources for dealing with inspirational overload? [more inside]
posted on Feb 26, 2008 - 8 answers

We live in a small town with vibrant arts and music scene. How do we get locals who are passionate about their particular scenes (fine art/punk rock/hiking/environmental activism/whatever) to blog about them on a regular basis? [more inside]
posted on Feb 20, 2008 - 10 answers

Personal journal-keeping - something I've wanted to be consistent with, but haven't. So, what works for you journalers to keep you journaling or at least keep coming back to journaling? [more inside]
posted on Feb 4, 2008 - 26 answers

Inspire me, punk-rock style. [more inside]
posted on Dec 7, 2007 - 19 answers

For my public-speaking workshop I've been told to memorize and recite 1 - 2 minutes of text that inspires me, from a story, speech, monologue or performance. All I can think of is silly love poems and scenes from Taxi Driver. Help! [more inside]
posted on Nov 28, 2007 - 32 answers

I watched "Pumping Iron" again a couple of months ago. I was surprised at how inspiring some the training scenes still were to watch. (Yes, I'm aware it was a docu-drama, not a documentary.) Any recommendations of other good dvds that might be a source of training inspiration? [more inside]
posted on Oct 3, 2007 - 8 answers

I’m searching for any good quotes on people suffering with mental disorders, or inspiring ones to help people with mental disorders get over them.
posted on Jul 29, 2007 - 15 answers

For CompSci Researchers: Where do you get your ideas/inspiration from? [more inside]
posted on May 21, 2007 - 10 answers

When it comes to blogging, has it all been done? [more inside]
posted on Mar 24, 2007 - 11 answers

Help reinvigorate my idealism with books. I am looking for literary inspiration to rise above my emotional rut. The best way to describe my situation: I am bored with my safe yuppie life. [more inside]
posted on Feb 27, 2007 - 38 answers

After reading this answer, I have decided to follow its advice to improve my written english. However I feel that I have nothing to write. [more inside]
posted on Feb 18, 2007 - 12 answers

I am looking for stories of inspirational people (names, URLs or in-thread) who overcame adversities to become successful after the age of 40. They could have become wildly successful, or perhaps just financially independent and can be famous or not-famous, perhaps even yourself or a relative. I've gone through an arduous career change and am starting my own business in my late 30s from basically nothing. I realize I'm still quite young, but it is so easy to feel late to the game when so many of my peers are established and successful. I'm really needing some inspiration right now. Thank you very much in advance for your answers.
posted on Jan 17, 2007 - 24 answers

MotivationFilter, MusicFilter: What particular songs motivate you? [more inside]
posted on Jan 17, 2007 - 34 answers

Art directors: Any books or publications that can help inspire me to create better marketing materials for a small tech company. [more inside]
posted on Nov 14, 2006 - 7 answers

I have found that when you are motivated to something unusual or difficult people dont hesitate to tell you how flawed your dream is, and why you will never and cannot physically succeed. Sometimes, these thoughts creep into my head, which I would like to combat, thus my question. I need quotes or excerpts about people who claimed someone famous in history would never succeed, who ended up making themselves look rather foolish when that person did infact succeed. (examples inside) [more inside]
posted on Nov 2, 2006 - 34 answers

WebDesignFilter: I'm wondering if any of the MeFites know of inspirational web design sites that focus on what works in information presentation (e.g., reports etc) as opposed to making attractive home and blog pages? [more inside]
posted on Sep 12, 2006 - 2 answers

Help me find the perfect quote to send with flowers to a friend who's down. [more inside]
posted on Aug 30, 2006 - 22 answers

Looking for tattoo inspiration/symbolism. [more inside]
posted on Aug 3, 2006 - 16 answers

I want to paint my car (even though 'artcars' are so '90). It is old and ugly. I need help with choosing a theme/design/inspiration. [more inside]
posted on Jul 14, 2006 - 27 answers

Mind over matter: what strategies are good for psyching yourself up to do something scary, uncomfortable, difficult or painful? The moments I'm thinking of aren't interpersonal situations. More like: you're standing on the high dive. Or you're doing your own bikini wax, and it's time to rip it off. Or you're on a bridge about to bungee. You're at the top of the half-pipe, about to take off. You're about to get stuck with a needle for medical or decorative purposes. Surely "just do it" isn't the only strategy?
posted on May 30, 2006 - 34 answers

I'm looking for short (under 5 minutes), fast paced, promotional trailers to get my juices flowing. I have an idea of what I want to do but I'm not completely in love with it... [more inside]
posted on Apr 27, 2006 - 8 answers

Have you seen the redesigned Presidential Daily Brief memo featuring "terrorist determined to attack America"? (Do you have the link?) I'm looking for the same type of design examples for alphanumeric or numeric outlines. [more inside]
posted on Apr 24, 2006 - 2 answers

Online portfolios - what are the good, creative ones out there? [more inside]
posted on Feb 4, 2006 - 4 answers

I remember hearing once that someone in the audience at Johhny Cash's Folsom Prison performance - as a prisoner - was inspired by it to go on to a successful career as a singer/songwriter. Is this apocryphal? If not, who was it? Someone mentioned to me Waylon Jennings, but I don't think it's him. Google is inconclusive.
posted on Jan 22, 2006 - 17 answers

Calling all fashionistas! Any one out there know of any good reference books for fashion designers? [more inside]
posted on Jan 18, 2006 - 8 answers

Off-My-Ass-Filter: Finding inspiration — not motivation — for writing. [more inside]
posted on Jan 15, 2006 - 21 answers

Seeking contact info for the advertising agency responsible for IBM Middleware's "You VS [Concept]" campaign that has been appearing in glossy business mags lately... [more inside]
posted on Dec 22, 2005 - 2 answers

I need some inspriational quotes. [more inside]
posted on Dec 13, 2005 - 18 answers

CuteCoupleFilter: What little things do you do for your SO? [more inside]
posted on Aug 18, 2005 - 32 answers

Designers: our marketing/communications department has had a Communication Arts subscription for a while now. The past few issues seem to have taken it into a new editorial direction. Much less inspiring stuff there. Is there some hot new contender that we should look at subscribing to instead? We'd probably only get just one.
posted on Mar 23, 2005 - 9 answers

Now that I'm a Print Designer for the next few days, what sites should I go to for inspiration when I get stuck? As a web designer I would go to K10K or Design is Kinky, or check out the newest sites at MoLuv. I am looking for things like online mags in PDF or Flash, people's print portfolios, or just anything else that is similar to print in terms of layout or design.
posted on Nov 24, 2004 - 8 answers

What inspires you to create things? [more, inside]
posted on Nov 14, 2004 - 21 answers