How you got your ideas

[ptgatsby]

Originally Posted by Rajah

Like that ever happens.

http://www.xkcd.com/c230.html

[Jennifer]

Originally Posted by Rajah

Like that ever happens.

Damn lawyers.... <grumble>

[Zergling]

Randomly during times when I've slowed down a bit and am not completely focused on something.

[HilbertSpace]

In the shower (and yes, it happens).

It got to the point that whenever I got stuck on something I think about it enough to fix it in my mind, then climbed into the shower. Really difficult problems might take several showers (limited hot water and all of that - my next major purchase will be a tankless hot water system).

I even went so far as to buy a pack of those bathtub crayons so I can jot down ideas or make sketches while in the shower. It has worked out fairly well, although they get more runny than I would like.

[Jennifer]

Originally Posted by HilbertSpace

In the shower (and yes, it happens). It got to the point that whenever I got stuck on something I think about it enough to fix it in my mind, then climbed into the shower. Really difficult problems might take several showers (limited hot water and all of that - my next major purchase will be a tankless hot water system).

I even went so far as to buy a pack of those bathtub crayons so I can jot down ideas or make sketches while in the shower. It has worked out fairly well, although they get more runny than I would like.

lol, I forgot to mention the shower!

Great anecdote... and (take this however you'd like) it doesn't really surprise me at all.

[SolitaryWalker]

Originally Posted by Maverick

In what moments and how did you get your best ideas in life?

For me, I find that my best ideas came from moments of strong introspection. Being alone from time to time was important as it allowed me to envision possibilities more easily. Another way I got good ideas was simply through debating with people about things... to the point where I would feel an "a-ha" moment and things would get clear.

That sounds like manifest work of Ni. Mine come from solitary meditations where I keep on pondering things. At times I stop when I get the kind of an insight that I am currently satisfied with, yet I wouldnt leave it at that. I'd come back to it later on to see if I can think of something better. But my best ideas tend to come from my solitary meditations where I keep on arguing with myself. Though unlike an Ni, I can actually explain where my ideas came from and what their rivals were.

[bluebell]

Originally Posted by HilbertSpace

In the shower (and yes, it happens).

It got to the point that whenever I got stuck on something I think about it enough to fix it in my mind, then climbed into the shower. Really difficult problems might take several showers (limited hot water and all of that - my next major purchase will be a tankless hot water system).

I even went so far as to buy a pack of those bathtub crayons so I can jot down ideas or make sketches while in the shower. It has worked out fairly well, although they get more runny than I would like.

Um, what do you write on? The bathroom tiles? Got any pics?

Yeah, I do a lot of thinking/processing in the shower. The limiting factor is the guilt over using so much water/electricity.

Also, 4-fucking-am is when my brain seems to like to wake and think. It feels very clear at the time but by the time I wake up it's all fuzzy. Bleah.

I think when I'm doing something else. Or if someone has done a big braindump, I'll kind of switch off from them and think. Which disables the power of speech usually.

[MacGuffin]

I get mine at the oddest moments as well.

Usually while walking/driving when I am not distracted by other people or music.

[Park]

Originally Posted by Maverick

In what moments and how did you get your best ideas in life?

The moments where the dots connected in the right way at the right time. I think
Steve Jobs describe the process very well in this speach.

[hereandnow]

The shower and standing in front of one of my bookcases.