Albert Einstein was stuck. For ten years, he struggled to solve the mysteries of space and time. Then, one evening in 1905, he heard a great clock strike the hour. In his mind, the physicist hopped on a tram, moving at lightspeed. In a flash, he saw it! The theory of relativity that changed physics forever.¹

Einstein was a genius. One of a kind. But physicist Tim Palmer says these "leaps of imagination" make us human. Exciting research shows our powerful brains are noisy places. And that noise makes us creative and able to solve complex problems.

In science, noise means random background information. Scientists try to reduce it in their models and experiments. But Palmer thinks climate scientists can actually make their predictions more accurate by adding random numbers. His inspiration is the human brain.

Every second, 80 billion neuronsNeurons, also known as nerve cells, are cells in the nervous system that use chemical or electrical signals to transmit information throughout the body.  process many gigabytes of data using as little energy as it takes to power a lightbulb. This is "mind-bogglingly impressive", says Palmer. Far beyond the capabilities of the world's fastest supercomputers.

It can be hard to stay focused with so much going on in our brains. Minds wander. Daydreams get in the way. But many artists and scientists say this noisy system is the key to creativity.

Others argue that silence is golden. In his book Thinking Fast and Slow, psychologist Daniel Kahneman divides mental activity into everyday multitasking and slow, focused problem-solving. "Anything that occupies your working memory," writes Kahneman, "reduces your ability to think."

Psychologist Nick Perham says research shows students perform worse in distracting environments. And studies in mice suggest daily periods of silence help the growth of brain cells associated with memory and learning.

However, other research recommends moderate ambient noise to make the mind work harder.² "Instead of burying oneself in a quiet room," says researcher Ravi Mehta, "a relatively noisy environment like a cafe may trigger the brain to think abstractlyNot based on practical or concrete examples, instead based on general theory and thinking. ."

Multitasking creates a lot of "crazy ideas", says Tim Palmer. Many will be bad. But noisy thinking always needs to be followed by some quiet analysis to reject the rubbish and find the best ideas. It is a balance between creative and rational thought.

A common belief is that some people are right-brained, and others are left-brained. If you have a clear analytical mind, your left side is dominant. And if your right side is stronger, you are creative and artistic.

But experts say this is a myth with no basis in neuroscienceScience looking at the nervous system and the brain. . Brain imaging shows that different types of thinking use both sides of the brain. Maths and science require creativity as well as logic. And the greatest works of art are created by rigorous and precise thought.

"Silence is an endangered species," says acousticRelated to sound or hearing. ecologist Gordon Hempton.³ The modern world is noisy and distracting. Many try to find focus in quiet meditation. But are there also creative benefits from the buzz of a busy life?

Yes:  If you shut yourself away without any distractions, your thoughts will spiral in circles and go nowhere. To be inspired, you need a bit of chaos.

No: You cannot be creative if you do not finish things. Modern life has too many distractions and insufficient space to focus and get things done. We need silence to concentrate and think clearly.

Or...  A flash of inspiration is a misleading idea. Einstein's brainwave came after years of hard work. Creativity is a long process of learning, practice and reflection. It needs both a noisy and a quiet brain.

Neurons - Neurons, also known as nerve cells, are cells in the nervous system that use chemical or electrical signals to transmit information throughout the body. 

Abstractly - Not based on practical or concrete examples, instead based on general theory and thinking.

Neuroscience - Science looking at the nervous system and the brain.

Acoustic - Related to sound or hearing.