After inspiration from a conversation, reading a book, or a brain wave, I often find myself in deep bouts of thought. I am briefly obsessed with a particular topic, and have the desire to explore it in its entirety. These ideas can range from wanting to understand how my fridge can regulate its temperature, to philosophising about a human’s desire to live. In these moments, I have what I like to call an itchy brain.
I once posed the question – Is there an alternative energy form to electricity? Prior to electricity, other primary energy types included gas, oil or steam. Why can’t there be another energy revolution? After coming to the conclusion that electricity usage is still developing, it may be better to focus on perfecting it first. It fueled my quest to further explore how electrical distribution networks or machines such as electric motors can be made more efficient. While my first question about energy forms came to a quick conclusion, it initiated me to brainstorm the topic in further detail. This was one of my recent itchy brain moments. What was your recent itchy brain moment?
The more I read, the more I learn and new questions inevitably arise, but I often wonder – How beneficial are these itchy brain moments? I once read “A Small Place in Italy” by Eric Newby, a memoir of his experience moving from England to a small Tuscan village, renovating an old house and embracing the country lifestyle with new friendly neighbours. Newby’s book sparked thought into the simple village lifestyle, whereby priorities lied in harvesting the year’s grapes and not being concerned with why the earth is round. This lifestyle can lead to an oblivion of the world’s complex social and physical constructs. Are they living the perfect life where ignorance is bliss? While the big questions of life are important to the development of humanity, is there an optimal balance of knowledge that can bring a state of bliss?
How do I scratch the itch? This itchy brain stems from a thirst for knowledge and an inquisitive mind. It is a desire to learn the unknown, or even answer the unanswered. Books tend to be my first point of reference as I feel they can fuel the mind beyond the written content (See more in 5 Reasons I Read Books). In 2010, Google estimated there to be over 130 million published books(1). There are millions of authors with diverse perspectives, and it is inevitable that someone else has thought the same thought, or will further stimulate your quest for knowledge.
Another key solution to an itchy brain is to discuss and brainstorm with others. Our world is evermore interconnected via the internet, so if no friends or family are as invested in your particular area of interest, accessibility to curious minds is endless. Answering each other’s questions provides insight from differing perspectives and can stimulate new ideas. I am eager to learn about your itchy brain moments. What sort of interests catch your curiosity and how do you probe for answers? Creativity and innovation are most effective with others, so let’s scratch our brains together.
References:
1. http://booksearch.blogspot.com/2010/08/books-of-world-stand-up-and-be-counted.html
Books for Thought 