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Isaac Asimov Anecdote - Re: Re: Where the inspiration comes from ?

by metadoktor (Hermit)
on Mar 14, 2002 at 17:06 UTC ( [id://151737]=note: print w/replies, xml ) Need Help??


in reply to Re: Where the inspiration comes from ?
in thread Where the inspiration comes from ?

As an aside, Isaac Asimov would sometimes bring up the story of Archimedes, crying Eureka after solving the density of solids problem via water displacement, when he was trying to explain what he would do when he got stuck. Basically, Asimov would claim that to get past a rut he would watch a totally and completely brainless movie. Yeah, the kind that has no plot and just action. A Schwarzeneggar or Steven Segal movie would fit this bill. Anyway, after seeing a mindless movie and NOT thinking of his problem he would miraculously find the solution to his problem afterwards, as if his subconscious mind was solving the problem in the background. So his claim was that when you're under crunch time and need to solve a problem immediately and you're having trouble coming up with a solution is the exact time that you need to take a break to let your mind figure things out even though its counter-intuitive to do something like that.

For myself, I will step away and do something totally unrelated or mindless or even think while walking to change my perspective on some problem.

Your Mileage May Vary.

metadoktor

"The doktor is in."

Replies are listed 'Best First'.
Isaac Asimov, human
by Anonymous Monk on Feb 16, 2008 at 03:01 UTC
    brilliant or not, Asimov is first and foremost a human man. he has insights and vices particular to his disposition and might not fit another particular human man or woman. i had dinner with he, his wife and daughter at a fine French restaurant at a conference where he was to be the guest speaker. most men get the best inspiration from that intersection beyond time and space. each person has a threshold intersection, for some it might be the power of nature and for many it is the extended nothing of a perfect organism. live well play well come up with great ideas!

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