In 1990 There Was No Internet, Today It’s Affecting Our Creativity
By: Larry G. Maguire
Tags: Creativity, Focus, Attention, Society, Productivity

Our attention to external sources is switched on almost permanently. From the moment we rise to the moment we retire, our brains are on high alert, seeking out stimulation in TV, mobile phones, and other data sources.

Corporations like Amazon and Facebook are training us, and we are allowing ourselves to be trained, towards this always-on mind with a short attention span, one that’s incapable of prolonged focus on a single task.

And that’s pretty much disastrous for creativity.

Alan Lightman highlights a recent Harvard study which examined students’ ability to sit alone in a quiet room for a few minutes without any external stimulation.

The Experiment

Researchers requested each of the 146 participants to sit alone in a quiet room for 12 minutes with no books, phones, or technology of any kind. The only device in the room was a button beside where they sat, that when pushed would administer a mild electric shock to the participant.

Before commencing the experiment, the students were instructed to press the button to test its function and report on how they felt about the shock. Every one of them said the shock was unpleasant and was something they would want to avoid.

On commencement, the students were told they would be in the room alone for between 10 and 20 minutes. The exact time wasn’t revealed. There were two rules; 1. They couldn’t fall asleep, and, 2. they couldn’t leave the chair. The only action they were permitted to do was press the button which, as they already knew, would give them a shock.

67% of male and 25% of female participants chose to shock themselves rather than sit quietly with their thoughts. A remarkable result which shows that human beings are becoming accustomed to, and dependant on, negative stimuli.

“The moment of drifting into thought has been so clipped by modern technology. Our lives are filled with distraction with smartphones and all the rest. People are so locked into not being present.” — Glen Hansard, Musician

We are distracted too by the response to the work we do, and by the opinions of apparent experts who have something to say about it. Too many people tell you what to make, what to write, and how you should do it.

They tell you their needs must come first. Forget about creative integrity — you must form an ulterior motive for your work and create for the sake of the response. Your internal voice doesn’t matter, or if it does, it comes second to the needs of others.

Well, go ahead and try that out for a while then come back to me and tell me how you did. If you make it big I’ll shake your hand. But be sure of one thing; you’ll never make them happy. So you’d better make yourself happy.

You see, here’s the thing…

Outside sources of stimulation, be that by advertisers, social media, people in praise or criticism of our work, serve merely to distract us from the work we are supposed to be doing.

It dilutes our concentration and ability to create meaningful work. Work that ultimately is the only thing that can ever bring us long-term gratification. I’m not suggesting we shouldn’t learn from those who came before. What I am suggesting is that something closer to home should come first.

Yes, I know it’s challenging to stay focused and trust yourself when all the world is trying to convince you to change. For me, too, it’s challenging. But you must be steadfast, determined and focused on the work, first and foremost, because that’s all that matters.

I too get sucked into self-doubt sometimes, and I can feel the resulting discomfort come over me. But over time, thankfully, those voices become less.

I have found that it takes discipline to correct a brain that has been wired for constant stimulation. But the only way I see that you and I can ever make a real difference in the world, to our families, or indeed ourselves, is to tune out the static and go deep.

Close the door.

Shut out the distractions, get stuck in and learn to critique your own work. Find someone you trust to critique your work too, but whatever you do, keep your circle tight.

Create a space where you can focus your mind on the work that engages you and do it every day for long periods.

Then all of a sudden one day someone will remark at how great it is that thing you just made.

Be selfish.

I just don’t see an alternative if we are to be happy and fulfilled.