Pivotal Moments

It can happen in a dream (Dmitri Mendeleev), on a streetcar (Albert Einstein), under an apple tree (Sir Isaac Newton) , or even in the bathtub (Archimedes).  Sometimes it comes in the wee hours of the morning, in the middle of a conversation, or in an airport bathroom (Taylor Swift).  Were it not for these pivotal flashes of insight, we might not have the periodic table of the elements, the theory of relativity, an understanding of gravity, the concept of buoyancy, or the Eras Tour. 

Many of us know it as an “Aha Moment”.  Research Psychologists call it “Insightful Learning”, and thanks to Archimedes and his bathtub, it is also referred to as a “Eureka Moment” (from the Greek for “I have found it!”) It may arise from an unrelated activity -  Archimedes was not interested solely in keeping his bathtub from overflowing.  King Hiero II sought his assistance when he suspected that a goldsmith had deceived him by replacing some of the gold in his crown with less valuable silver.  Since gold is nearly twice as dense as silver, the bathtub method easily revealed the fraud.  One can imagine the goldsmith’s Aha Moment when summoned by the King.

Eureka moments matter.  "Eureka" has been California's state motto since 1849, honoring the “I have found it” experience of the Gold Rush miners.  Sudden flashes of clarity, profound realizations, or groundbreaking discoveries like theirs shape the course of history and often give birth to advancements in various fields. 

Certain insights (e.g. overflowing bathtubs) may appear frivolous, whereas others they may evoke (like density and buoyancy) are weightier. Aha! moments can enhance the apparent truth or value of an idea, ultimately leading  to quicker and more efficient decision-making. Recent research indicates that feelings of insight are typically associated with correct ideas but may also influence how true an idea appears.

Karuna Subramaniam of Northwestern University studied the origin of these pivotal moments, finding that subjects experiencing more positive emotions tended to solve puzzles using insight, while those with higher anxiety levels turned to analytical methods. The former, more pleasurable approach invokes brain waves in the orbitofrontal cortex, a natural reward system stimulated by Aha Moments.  The brain is not always discriminating, generating good feelings and a sense of confidence for incorrect insights as well.  When the dopamine-rich part of the brain's reward system, the nucleus accumbens, becomes active, risk-taking behavior may also be encouraged.

Modern demands for focus and productivity hinder conditions for insight. External rewards and stress push us towards analytical thinking, not creativity. If we seek insightful thought, we are heading the wrong way. 

The advantages of insightful thinking have long captivated neuroscientists. Research by Brian Erickson at Stanford has demonstrated that EEGs can predict whether an individual will solve problems through insight or analysis and further indicates that stimulation of the right hemisphere facilitates insightful approaches. Engaging in activities such as taking breaks and seeking diverse people and environments—anything that distracts from the immediate problem and broadens perspective—can promote insightful thinking. Highly motivated individuals exhibit enhanced insightfulness after consuming moderate amounts of alcohol. Data is still being gathered in search of a more precise definition of "moderate". 

In the meantime, it is beneficial to be mindful of stress and anxiety, along with whatever sparks your orbitofrontal cortex to a creative mindset.  If you find yourself exiting an airport restroom early one morning while humming the melody to “Shake It Off”, you just might be on the cusp of a pivotal moment.

Author Profile - Paul W. Smith - leader, educator, technologist, writer - has a lifelong interest in the countless ways that technology changes the course of our journey through life.  In addition to being a regular contributor to NetworkDataPedia, he maintains the website Technology for the Journey and occasionally writes for Blogcritics.  Paul has over 50 years of experience in research and advanced development for companies ranging from small startups to industry leaders.  His other passion is teaching - he is a former Adjunct Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines. Paul holds a doctorate in Applied Mechanics from the California Institute of Technology, as well as Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

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