First, I don't agree that "the light" never comes back. It is, however, extremely rare. Usually, it involves a transformation similar to a deep religious experi

First, I don't agree that "the light" never comes back. It is, however, extremely rare. Usually, it involves a transformation similar to a deep religious experience that occurs over months (i.e. spending 6 months in an ashram). But many yuppies who do that sort of thing still learn nothing, so no guarantees. Second, creative "light" vs. fear is a false dichotomy. Game of Thrones quote time: Bran: Can a man still be brave if he's afraid? Ned Stark: That is the only time a man can be brave. What kills creativity is giving in to fear (cowardice) and especially the daily compromises that don't feel cowardly but are. The problem is not the emotion (of fear) itself. We need fear. (If nothing else, I'd imagine that the OP agrees we need to fear mediocrity and creative atrophy.) What we don't need is to feed the senseless fear and status insecurity that modern society seems to encourage.