When musicians improvise, their brains turn inhibitions down and creativity up. Scientists set out to measure exactly what is going on in the heads of musicians, using jazz as the constant:
[T]hey go into what we call a “dissociated frontal activity state.” There’s this notion that someone like Coltrane is “in the zone,” he’s far away from the concerns of everyday life. And he is in some other place where all of these novel ideas are flowing out of him.How does he do it?
The brain really alters itself into this creative mindframe where its purpose at that moment is to generate novelty and to decrease inhibition.Consider that for a moment: improv decreases inhibition and increases novelty! As I mentioned recently, people are already improvising. With the emergence and adoption of a new set of tools and services, the line between creator and consumer has narrowed and, in many places, blurred completely. And this is the great opportunity for designers (or creators or any kind): to create room for this sort of free flow of ideas in our design process and in the products and services we create for people. Plan for improvisation. Make room for novelty. (These are not oxymorons.)
In the meantime, head over to hear a series on the field of “neuromusic,” research at the intersection of cognitive neuroscience and music.
un-button the top button.
How do we get new ideas? By hammering down on old insight, trying to figure out a new way of looking at it? Or going straight to the core and finding a completely new way of gathering knowledge? Where do the good ideas start?
Use an Idea Embargo to Keep Focused
It’s a week before a major project is due and suddenly someone comes up with a great idea. That great idea can derail the project and make delivery late. Use an idea embargo to keep the focus.
Inspiration is not the exclusive privilege of poets or artists generally. There is, has been, and will always be a certain group of people whom inspiration visits. It’s made up of all those who’ve consciously chosen their calling and do their job with love and imagination. It may include doctors, teachers, gardeners — and I could list a hundred more professions … A swarm of new questions emerges from every problem they solve. Whatever inspiration is, it’s born from a continuous “I don’t know.
― Wislawa Szymborska (via azspot)
50% of the reason I shower is for the inspired ideas I get during. I’ll let you guess the other 50%
How to Get Lightning to Strike Twice
If you want to direct lightning to strike a certain target, you erect a lightning rod. The lightning rod is frequently struck because of its particular construction, material and positioning. To become a lightning rod for inspiration, you have to pay attention to very similar things.
you had a great idea! high five! everyone does. some people have better ideas than others and maybe it's easier for them as well.
but why?!
we're paying attention to the things we're doing, physically & mentally, when these ideas hit us. trying to look for clues and make connections.
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