Creating systems that cultivate surprise and creativity involves exposing oneself to a wide range of ideas and influences through reading, listening, socializing, and being in different environments. However, the key to creativity lies in the middle layer, which entails uninterrupted thinking and allowing ideas to interconnect and evolve. This phase involves bouncing ideas off others, teaching concepts to a layperson, and engaging in deep, introspective contemplation. Surrounding oneself with people who ask thought-provoking questions and expand one's consciousness is crucial for stimulating creativity, even more so than focusing solely on financial gain.