dude, the brain
Have you seen this ad for Mercedes-Benz making the rounds? What a cool representation of the workings of the brain.
Dude...the brain.
Amazing, no? I could go on and on about how fascinated I am with how our brains work...some of my most favorite TED talks are about brain reserach (like this one about the brain researcher who suffered a stroke and her left and right brain experiences of it). I love learning about how we learn, how we think...and what gets me super exited is the generation of ideas. How does that happen? How does something come from nothing?
There is a new book coming out this month called Imagine: How Creativity Works by Jonah Lehrer and I'm exicted to read it. I discovered it flipping through a business magazine of all places...and it said there are actually three neurolgically distinct forms of creativity.
1) Moments of Insight (my something from nothing kind of creativity)
2) Working Hard to Solve a Problem (coming up with elegant solutions!)
3) Spontaneous Improvisation (like musicians and comediens...)
He also says...the things that are most essential for big ideas aren't going to look productive. So in other words, go take a nap or find another way to relax! According to him, this is essential...so yay for artist dates and daydreaming!
Wondering what you think about how creativity works? When do feel the most creative? What works to get you in your zone?
xo*m
Oh! and P.S. Here's a quick little tidbit for you - the color blue can help you double your creative output! So combine that with this idea of relaxing and it seems to me a day like this below is EXACTLY what we all need to be creative. Who knew?
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Comments
LOVE BLUE -- surround myself in it whenever I can -- so that's good news for me. Your post came in perfect time. Yesterday was my snow day! A miraculous day with nothing slated on the calendar. So, after shoveling deep snow with several neighbors , I snuck back inside - still in my PJ's - and indulged in a day that definitely did not feel very productive. I read blogs, favorite authors, wrote in my journal, waded through a lot of creative ideas that have been simmering inside and couldn't believe how quickly the day passed. Your post let me off the hook for my post-snow day guilt. It reinforces what I already know deep inside, that yesterday was perfect and just what I needed. As the tasks are screaming out at me today, it's tempting to discount the creative treasures I uncovered yesterday. I'm reminded how easy it is to trade those magical moments that don't appear to be "productive" for meaningless, mindless business which fills empty spaces but accomplishes nothing. Thanks for the encouragement.
oh Michelle-- I loved this-- and though I had put a moratorium on my addiction to bright blue nails-- in honor of your post here-- I went and got my nails done with French blue nails-- let the doubling of creativity begin!
xoox, e
such a timely post for me as i just painted my nails blue today, and have been wearing a blue something each day and turquoise jewelry...i'm in the midst of a juice fast and my journaling has drawn me to consider my fifth chakra, associated with communication and creativity.
here's to blue... :)
Hmm. Maybe I should have painted those studio walls blue instead of orange with purple trim? I love the orange/purple combo though. :) I will look for ways to add more bright blue to my days.
Very cool creative pairing of blue and the beach. It makes total sense and adds a nice touch of sly humor also right brain. Great post!
That TED talk is one of my favs, it fascinated me. I am so happy to hear that about the color BLUE, I had just decided on that color for my small creative space!! yip
xo
Karen
deldino
So love!