will.i.am Opens Up: “I Would Have Had Children 10 Years Ago!!!” Guilt, Shame, Depression, Creativity & ADHD!

His childhood in the ghettos of East Los Angeles, Boyle Heights, was characterized by his mother's encouragement of his creativity, which became his 'currency' when money was scarce. His mother's resourcefulness and emphasis on learning and self-expression instilled a strong sense of purpose and fearlessness.

He realized his family was poor when his school collected food for 'poor families' and the food was delivered to his own house. Initially, kids made fun of him, but his mother's practice of dressing him in suits for school countered the perception of poverty, making his attire a form of expression and separation from negative stereotypes.

To be hyper-creative, one must be competitive, analytical of oneself and competitors, elevated in perspective, curious, humble, and a predator (selective in what to 'consume'). Humility attracts information, while a predatory nature ensures one is ready to 'eat' but disciplined in selection.

The primary goal of creativity is to 'let it out' – to absorb the world and then 'rinse' it out, similar to a sponge or even vomiting. It's a therapeutic process that first helps the individual make sense of the world, and only then can it be strategically used to help others.

He acknowledges that his constant thinking and analyzing can be overbearing in relationships, likening himself to a 'deep diver' exploring the abyss rather than a 'beach guy.' He has learned to use a 'volume knob' to temper this, emphasizing empathy and understanding of a partner's contribution without conforming or changing his core nature.

He initially believed he needed to achieve his 'ultimate' professional goals before having a family. However, he now realizes that having children would have forced him to be more organized and aerodynamic in his journey, serving as an even greater motivation. He now desires to be a full-time, purposeful dad, leveraging his current ability to assemble and fund teams rather than doing everything himself.

Distortion is the initial shaking of the table, a state of dis-ease or disharmony in one's vibrational field, often caused by personal errors or letting loved ones down. Depression is the outcome of prolonged distortion, like the shattering or cracking of the glass due to persistent shaking.

Anxiety arises from having emotions about outcomes of things happening that are out of one's control, where imagination runs wild with potential negative scenarios. Future-casting, conversely, is purposely looking ahead and strategically planning actions, a controlled process where one doesn't attach immediate emotions to the imagined future.

He believes individuals should own 100% of their data, including their voice, face, searches, and location, similar to how companies own their intellectual property. His app, FYI, aims to provide users with an encryption key to truly own their digital assets and data, challenging the current model where personal likeness is not legally owned by the individual.

He sees AI as a powerful tool for marginalized communities, who have historically been 'set up to fail' by societal structures. He believes AI can empower them to solve their own problems, educate themselves, and unearth tomorrow's industries, rather than being fearful like those who are responsible for existing societal inequities.