>On the surface, it feels great; learning, gaining knowledge and understanding is fantastic
[...]
>but I need to be a creator, not a consumer
But learning is also creative. All knowledge must be conjectured afresh in the mind that learns it -- the process is the same whether the knowledge is known by others or not.
Knowledge gained from TV and browsing and consuming is of value in life, including in creative projects.
If one is feeling addicted or jaded or whatever then what this really means is that browsing has been used to distract one from other, more pressing, problems, e.g. personal problems
There's no reason not to do both, in whatever ratio seems fit. Cutting oneself off from the culture would be detrimental to one's original work.
But learning is also creative. All knowledge must be conjectured afresh in the mind that learns it -- the process is the same whether the knowledge is known by others or not.
Knowledge gained from TV and browsing and consuming is of value in life, including in creative projects.
If one is feeling addicted or jaded or whatever then what this really means is that browsing has been used to distract one from other, more pressing, problems, e.g. personal problems
There's no reason not to do both, in whatever ratio seems fit. Cutting oneself off from the culture would be detrimental to one's original work.