Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford Cautionary Tales Presents: TED Talk Daily
Jan 31, 2020
Discover how some of history's greatest thinkers, like Einstein and Darwin, mastered 'slow motion multitasking' to inspire their creativity. The discussion emphasizes the benefits of juggling multiple projects without hurry, fostering innovation. With insights into organization methods from Twyla Tharp, the episode showcases how creativity thrives when minds explore diverse topics. Plus, discover how balancing various pursuits can lead to productive breakthroughs, echoing the lessons learned from iconic figures in the creative realm.
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Einstein's Miracle Year
- In 1905, Albert Einstein published four groundbreaking papers on Brownian motion, special relativity, the photoelectric effect, and E=mc².
- This exemplifies slow-motion multitasking, where one juggles multiple projects.
Slow-Motion Multitasking
- Slow-motion multitasking involves working on multiple projects concurrently, switching between them as desired.
- It contrasts with hurried, desperate multitasking.
Scientists Shifting Topics
- Bernice Eiduson's research on 40 leading scientists, including Nobel laureates, revealed a surprising pattern.
- The most creative scientists frequently switched research topics, averaging 43 changes in their first 100 papers.