How do you learn to be creative?
qaexl: This link was posted up on YC recently: http://the-programmers-stone.com/about/While it does not directly address "creativity", I have found that the "juxtapositional thinking" state it describes as a required state for creative thinking. Look on the second article for the precise neuroscience.In summary, the pre-frontal cortex has (at least) two different mode: focused attention, and juxtapositional thinking. The first works well when you have predictable task order. You know precisely what steps you need to do something in. However, it also shuts down any chance you have to be "inspired" or "creative". It is the precise reason when you try to be creative, you stop being creative.The site lists some easy ways to encourage juxtapositional thinking in people. There are other methods I have found help trigger this.I do want to point out though, the juxtapositional state will not automatically make you more creative, though it is a pre-condition that needs to be fulfilled before you creative insight pops up in your head.However, this precondition does show why creativity is difficult to teach. It is something you learn, not something you teach. It requires a state of mind that you have to access yourself, you cannot be simply be told "be creative".Whatever the case may be, creativity is not a genetic or an edge case.