Prometheus by Phil Guest on flickr
Wikipedia is a wonderful place for mythology. As well as the basic story of a myth it gives different versions, source material and other media. And as we contribute material to the myth it helps it stay alive in text like it was once organically alive as an oral tradition. This is useful for the myth of Prometheus, as it changed over ancient times. The myth of Prometheus has often been associated with innovation; but not always well. Yet some amplification of it’s meaning can help us understand some of the stumbling blocks that seem to pop up from nowhere when we go to put ideas into action.
There are 2 main classical versions of the Prometheus Myth, an older one (8th century BC ) and a newer one (5TH Century BC). In both versions the story is similar. Prometheus steals fire, gets chained to a rock while an eagle eats his liver out every day; which then regrows. And there’s a couple of differences. In the earlier version, Prometheus is depicted as the bringer of difficulties to humankind, as the Gods required people to leave a kind of heavenly paradise in exchange for the theft of fire; and face hardships such as daily work, not to mention the releasing of all the evils from Pandora’s Box. In the later version he is a bringer of a boon to humankind in stealing the fire – a more typical heroic story, which suggests that over time in the Greek and Roman Civilisation, innovation became easier, or the benefits were at least more appreciated. He was also renowned in the later version as a bringer of the arts to people, such as writing, mathematics, agriculture, medicine, and science.
The endings of the 2 versions are also different. In the first Hercules shoots the eagle with an arrow and releases Prometheus – perhaps not the best outcome if you’re already reviled for what you have done. And it suggests a Herculean effort is needed to break free.
In the second version a deal is made. The deal made is that Prometheus can live and be freed in exchange for the death of Chiron, who (also) at last gets released from his perpetual pain. Chiron is an interesting character who through being immortal (as son of a God) he was also wounded by one of Hercules arrows, which becomes a poisoned wound that will never heal. He was also a great teacher and healer.Perhaps the first win/win deal in history; but more importantly a reminder that although innovation is now accepted there may still have to be a sacrifice.
When we do something innovative, there may be a price to pay at a psychological level. Innovators often feel disenfranchised or doubt. It may be that we don’t feel good enough or worthy of the benefit we can bring.
Or it may be that we feel punished or restricted. What we want to achieve gets caught up in firewalls or pulled apart by the It department or disapproval for no good reason by management. To associate ourselves with innovation potentially invites such a psychological constellation.
Another way it can manifest is enforced routine. Routine, while necessary for some activity, can also kill off an innovator’s creative impulse. It sometimes seems more than chance that innovation champions through their creative ability get seconded to higher management positions (or sideways to admin positions) for which they are probably not suited and where the innovation ceases.
However it’s not all bad. One way or another, Prometheus is released and humankind gets to benefit from the fire. Though you might feel a little worse for wear, it can be worth persisting in innovation. The liver curiously is the only organ of the body that can completely regrow itself – something the ancient Greeks knew; and so maybe we get to continue afresh once the psychologically redemptive phase of our innovation cycle is complete. If anything the message from these myths is to “back yourself” in what you want to achieve and to see beyond the self doubt, the firewalls or whatever is getting in the way, to achieve your vision or idea for a better world.
