Downtime Brain

Notes

"downtime brain", aka default mode network (or DMN). when we Focus, i.e commit our thinking to an external goal or action, then it is deactivated. However, when we relax, our thinking turns inwards, which means the DMN is activated. Solitude. Expressions of that can be self reflection introspection, day dreaming, processing of past events, Planning for the future, social awareness, etc. This mode is critical for creative thinking and exploration of new ideas. It benefits from Attention Residue, where we developed unfinished ideas "in the back burner", let them simmer, and perhaps discover new solutions or variations to the idea. Therefore, if you are experiencing flow, it is better to stop before you finish the task, such that you will continue to dive deeper into it in "downtime" mode. For example, if you are writing a book, stop in a cliffhanger, rather than on the end of the chapter.

This is in contrast with the Executive Attention Network (EAN), which is our "ram", it holds information in our Working Memory, it contains our "most frequent/obvious" responses to cases Heuristics, and our general strategy.

Usually, a creative process is dependent on the connection of the two. The downtime brain creates these ideas, while the EAN contextualize it, and brings it to life.

Visual

Overview

🔼Topic:: Human Brain 🔼Topic:: Creativity (MOC) 🔗Link:: Video 1 Video 2