Mystery Box

For my post today, I would like to talk about a J.J. Abrams TED presentation that I had the pleasure of watching last year. I have included the video below, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.


His presentation is called ‘The Mystery Box’ and is has had a profound impact on how I perceive things now. 

J.J. Abrams talks about a magic box that he had bought years ago, but never opened. The reason he never opened it was to keep the mystery of it alive. He didn't want to open the box or know what was inside, it represent so much to him. Not knowing what was it in is what  made him view almost anything as a magic mystery box.

What J.J. Abrams did, was open a world to any possibility. Viewing a computer screen or a blank paper could be anyone's mystery box. I myself, am fascinated by this thought. He was telling the audience that everyone has their own mystery box in some way and to not limit themselves but be creative. This realization has allow J.J. Abrams to create some of the most watched movies and T.V. shows.

Since watching his presentation, I have used his mystery box concept in all my work. I see my work station as the box and I get to fill it with whatever I want. I feel that I no longer have the worry about something not sounding right, what matters to me is the satisfaction I get when I finally achieved what was once a thought and am able to showcase to the world.

J.J. Abrams speech is, for me, the best out there. It applies to everyone, no matter what their line of work is. We should see everything as a mystery box and whatever is inside should only be limited by our creativity and imagination.