31–40 of 208 posts
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Poverty. My most recent creative streak was when I had to survive a month on 250CHF in Zürich.
I always do my best programming when I am dead broke and the wolves are at the door.
I would have thought that problem solving abilities necessitated creativity? If the solution was obvious, where's the problem?
Anecdotally, I was recently cramming a lot of "Leetcode medium" questions to prepare for job interviews, and after a couple of weeks, I was drinking Starbuck's coffee and solving those problems like a machine... seriously, like a machine . I found I did get better (or at least much faster) at recognizing subproblems and quickly composing an overall solution, even if none of the steps was particularly creative. After…
After a day or two of that level of caffeine intake, I go into an almost trance of productivity and performance. It feels like I'm watching myself do what I need to do, not that I have to 'do it' myself. It's a very strange sensation. It's the same sensation I get when I'm 'in the zone' and competing in something with 100% of my focus on it (emotionally engaged, you might say).
I don't get into that state anywhere close to as easy without caffeine. I've been off caffeine for about 4-5 months now and I've noticed a change. My productivity isn't worse in any measurable way, but it feels different. I wish I could describe it in more relatable terms but I have nothing I can really relate it to.
I would have thought that problem solving abilities necessitated creativity? If the solution was obvious, where's the problem?
Yeah, this was a bit was odd. IMO, problem solving begins with 'divergent' thinking and only later converges toward a, or the, solution. A study like this hinges upon how variables like'divergent thinking' were quantified, and there were no examples given of how they tested for either style of thinking here.
What boosts creativity? I sometimes used alcohol for song writing purposes. Are there healthier methods?
For me, anything that makes me a little tired so my thoughts wander. Sitting down after a hard workout for example. Another is that time at the end of the day where I worked hard so I'm a bit tired, but I'm not so tired that it's time to sleep yet. I also have to allow it to happen. Sitting down in front of the PS4 or on my phone is not going to let my mind wander.
Thank you for linking to the paper. The study measures the effects of regular caffeine users: > Participants were invited to participate if they were between 18-35 years of age, consumed between 1-2 cups of caffeinated beverages per day at least 5 days a week, did not smoke, were native English speakers, and took no psychiatric medications or painkillers on a regular basis. > [...] > Participants were asked to abstai…
> Typically, the onset of symptoms starts 12 to 24 hours after caffeine cessation, peaks at 20–51 hours, and may last up to two to nine days.
> The severity of symptoms vary from individual to individual, and most commonly include a headache, fatigue, decreased energy/activeness, decreased alertness, drowsiness, decreased contentedness, depressed mood, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and feeling foggy/not clearheaded
> The incidence or severity of symptoms increased with increases in the daily dose, but abstinence from low doses, such as about one small cup of coffee per day, also produced symptoms of withdrawal.
Thank you for linking to the paper. The study measures the effects of regular caffeine users: > Participants were invited to participate if they were between 18-35 years of age, consumed between 1-2 cups of caffeinated beverages per day at least 5 days a week, did not smoke, were native English speakers, and took no psychiatric medications or painkillers on a regular basis. > [...] > Participants were asked to abstai…
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Poverty. My most recent creative streak was when I had to survive a month on 250CHF in Zürich.
Hm, I mostly stagnated depressively in front of the TV when I was poor.
I even started a technical blog:
But I may not be poor enough anymore to continue writing it.
Thank you for linking to the paper. The study measures the effects of regular caffeine users: > Participants were invited to participate if they were between 18-35 years of age, consumed between 1-2 cups of caffeinated beverages per day at least 5 days a week, did not smoke, were native English speakers, and took no psychiatric medications or painkillers on a regular basis. > [...] > Participants were asked to abstai…