Capitalism fuels creativity by rewarding innovation and giving creators pathways to scale their ideas, but it also distorts creative purpose by tying value to profit and popularity. While competition can spark new ideas, it often turns creativity into a commodity — favoring what sells over what challenges or transforms. This market-driven logic narrows cultural diversity, leaving many creators—especially those without economic privilege—unable to take creative risks. As a result, capitalism both inspires and confines creativity: it drives expression forward through opportunity while simultaneously constraining its depth, inclusivity, and potential to imagine alternatives beyond the marketplace.