The explanation for this effect returns us to the benefits of not being able to pay attention. The stupor of alcohol, like the haze of the early morning, makes it harder for us to ignore those unlikely thoughts and remote associations that are such important elements of the imagination. So the next time you are in need of insight, avoid caffeine and concentration. Don’t chain yourself to your desk. Instead, set the alarm a few minutes early and wallow in your groggy thoughts. And if that doesn’t work, chug a beer.
— Jonah Lehrer on why being sleepy and drunk is great for creativity. Lehrer’s must-read new book, Imagine: How Creativity Works, comes out in March and is now available on pre-order. (via curiositycounts)I like this quote because it explains why solutions to work problems so frequently hit me during my morning shower.
(via photographsonthebrain)
