Earlier this month, the music world was shocked by the death of hip hop legend Earl Simmons, better known as DMX. In a career spanning more than two decades, DMX sold over 74 million records worldwide, releasing seven studio albums and 47 singles. In a song from 1998 titled Slippin', he quotes the German philosopher-poet, Friedrich Nietzsche: "To live is to suffer but to survive, well, that's to find meaning in the suffering." By all accounts, DMX suffered greatly in his childhood. More importantly, though, he found meaning in that suffering.
Nietzsche has been described as the "poet laureate of the troubled psyche" based on his bouts of deep depression and other psychological complaints. Like Nietzsche, DMX also experienced mental health problems. The rapper suffered from bipolar disorder, a condition characterised by episodes of mania (extreme highs) and depression. Some people can even cycle rapidly between both states, like mood swings on steroids.
Beyond Nietzsche and DMX there is a very long list of poets, painters and notable creatives who have also experienced the pendulum of extreme mood states. Is there a link between extraordinary creativity and specific mental health problems? And if there is, might this not alter our tendency to stigmatise those who experience such conditions?
In the story of humanity, the idea of a link between creativity and mental ill-health goes way back to our earliest human ancestors. The cave art found at sites such as Lascaux in France and Altamira in Spain could be evidence of psychiatric illness among early modern humans around 10,000-50,000 years ago. This is the opinion of a growing number of archaeologists. In his book Cave Paintings and the Human Spirit: The Origin of Creativity and Belief, David Whitley, former chief archaeologist at UCLA, argues that many of these cave artists experienced what we today call bipolar disorder. Mr Whitley believes our ancestors harnessed the mood disorder, channelling their creative impulse into extraordinary works of art.
The ancient Greek philosopher Socrates made a similar connection, arguing that the best poetry was composed by those "who have been driven out of their minds". The link between poetry and mental ill-health can be seen in the literature of ancient Arabia too. For example, in the tale of Layla and Majnoon – the Middle East's Romeo and Juliet –Qays bin Al Mulawwah is driven mad by his love for Layla and ends up wandering the desert, composing exquisite love poetry and reciting it to the wind. This behaviour earns Qays the derogatory nickname of majnoon (madman), even though everyone celebrates his poetic ability.
The link between creativity and illness goes back to our earliest ancestors
The word majnoon shares its roots with the word jinni, or as it is often written in English, genie. The jinn (plural) are unseen beings from a parallel realm – spirits if you like. A traditional view of madness is that it can be caused by interference from the jinn. In pre-Islamic Arabia, three types of people are repeatedly associated with the jinn; these are the kahin (shaman or oracle), the madman and the poet. The latter two are frequently synonymous, and the kahin often voiced his or her contacts with the spirit world in poetic verse know a saj. This connection between creativity and madness crosses epochs and cultures.
Current psychological research on the topic lends some scientific evidence to the idea of a link between creativity and some forms of mental ill health. A review of this research, published in Perspectives on Psychological Science in 2017, shed further light on the relationship. Looking at 36 separate studies revealed that creative people (fine artists, creative writers, poets etc.) were more likely to have a mood disorder than their less-creative counterparts. Furthermore, creativity was most frequently associated with bipolar disorder.
Another review study, published in the Psychological Bulletin in 2016, looked at the previous research exploring the link between creativity and vulnerability to various psychological disorders, such as depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. The research team found that, overall, there was a relationship between creativity and a vulnerability to bipolar disorder. The same association, however, was not observed between creativity and risk of other psychological conditions. There seems to be a special connection between the symptoms of bipolar disorder and artistry.
DMX represents a link in an unbroken chain of highly creative individuals stretching back into the mists of time. He was one of those rare individuals, outliers on the spectrum of neurodiversity, who can find meaning in suffering and transform pain into art. In the Archeology of Madness, David Whitley writes: "Madness is part of what makes us cognitively modern. Inasmuch as we value unusual creativity, humankind may then be better served by recognising, celebrating, and promoting this fact."
Justin Thomas is a professor of psychology at Zayed University and a columnist for The National
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
The years Ramadan fell in May
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The years Ramadan fell in May
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
More from Neighbourhood Watch
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Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Drishyam 2
Directed by: Jeethu Joseph
Starring: Mohanlal, Meena, Ansiba, Murali Gopy
Rating: 4 stars
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UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
500 People from Gaza enter France
115 Special programme for artists
25 Evacuation of injured and sick
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MATCH INFO
Delhi Daredevils 174-4 (20 ovs)
Mumbai Indians 163 (19.3 ovs)
Delhi won the match by 11 runs
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
The language of diplomacy in 1853
Treaty of Peace in Perpetuity Agreed Upon by the Chiefs of the Arabian Coast on Behalf of Themselves, Their Heirs and Successors Under the Mediation of the Resident of the Persian Gulf, 1853
(This treaty gave the region the name “Trucial States”.)
We, whose seals are hereunto affixed, Sheikh Sultan bin Suggar, Chief of Rassool-Kheimah, Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon, Chief of Aboo Dhebbee, Sheikh Saeed bin Buyte, Chief of Debay, Sheikh Hamid bin Rashed, Chief of Ejman, Sheikh Abdoola bin Rashed, Chief of Umm-ool-Keiweyn, having experienced for a series of years the benefits and advantages resulting from a maritime truce contracted amongst ourselves under the mediation of the Resident in the Persian Gulf and renewed from time to time up to the present period, and being fully impressed, therefore, with a sense of evil consequence formerly arising, from the prosecution of our feuds at sea, whereby our subjects and dependants were prevented from carrying on the pearl fishery in security, and were exposed to interruption and molestation when passing on their lawful occasions, accordingly, we, as aforesaid have determined, for ourselves, our heirs and successors, to conclude together a lasting and inviolable peace from this time forth in perpetuity.
Taken from Britain and Saudi Arabia, 1925-1939: the Imperial Oasis, by Clive Leatherdale
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How to join and use Abu Dhabi’s public libraries
• There are six libraries in Abu Dhabi emirate run by the Department of Culture and Tourism, including one in Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
• Libraries are free to visit and visitors can consult books, use online resources and study there. Most are open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, closed on Fridays and have variable hours on Saturdays, except for Qasr Al Watan which is open from 10am to 8pm every day.
• In order to borrow books, visitors must join the service by providing a passport photograph, Emirates ID and a refundable deposit of Dh400. Members can borrow five books for three weeks, all of which are renewable up to two times online.
• If users do not wish to pay the fee, they can still use the library’s electronic resources for free by simply registering on the website. Once registered, a username and password is provided, allowing remote access.
• For more information visit the library network's website.
SPECS
Engine: 4-litre V8 twin-turbo
Power: 630hp
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: 8-speed Tiptronic automatic
Price: From Dh599,000
On sale: Now
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
Wydad 2 Urawa 3
Wydad Nahiri 21’, Hajhouj 90'
Urawa Antonio 18’, 60’, Kashiwagi 26’
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Match info
Uefa Champions League Group F
Manchester City v Hoffenheim, midnight (Wednesday, UAE)
BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities
Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails
Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
LOVE%20AGAIN
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