----- Original Message ----- From: "Erik Reuter" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, November 27, 2002 8:00 AM Subject: Re: Religion, the good side
> That is mostly sensationalism and wishful thinking. It doesn't make a > good story to say that you were working on the problem for hours and you > solved it. It makes a great story to say you were in the bathtub and > suddenly had to jump out and run naked to your desk to write down the > idea that just occurred to you. Selective memory and drama. What data source do you have that contradicts the data provided by people who have actually been highly creative? Yes, my data are limited. My personal experience is just one person. But, I know what has worked successfully over the years. I've been able to solve in 15 minutes what plodders haven't been able to do working 12 hour days for many days. I look around and note the working habits of others who have significant creative breakthroughs. I look at the habits of those who don't. Why should one assume that the people who are creative would be even more creative if they work like those who aren't? Part of the problem with trying to be a creative plodder is that creativity is an edge experience. For me, at least, its foundation is coming up with a new way to ask the question. Long hard work tends to get me in a groove/rut of looking at it the same way. The proof is in the pudding. Let me give one final example. After months of effort, a theorist came up with a solution to a special case of a general problem. He discussed it with Feynman. Feynman proved to be interested and asked him questions. The guy was thrilled that Feynman took an interest in his work. The next day, Feynman had the general solution. Edison copied a lot more than did. Fundamentally, he was wrong, but told a darned good story. Further, the chances of accomplishing great new technologies through simple trial and error have tremendously diminished over the past century. Most breakthroughs are made by those with a God given spark, not by the hardest workers. Dan M. _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
