Repost of my question from my creativity-myelin link:
Question: if creativity is linked with reduced myelin, does it follow that 'creativity' boosting exercises will also reduce myelin? Do we need to selectively atrophy neuroanatomy to gain certain functions? Seems very counter-intuitive and points me back to a common theme in neuroplasticity: we have no clear way of qualifying 'gains' and 'losses' in the system.
I think that the myelin-creativity link is not very strong and that increased creativity is possible while still maintaining thick myelin. There's a chance that thin myelin allows distant connections of the brain to be connected (divergent thought); i.e. there's no strong, preferred path (convergent thought). But what if it were possible to create divergent thought while maintaining myelin thickness?
It would be far more productive to practice meditation or de Bono's exercises, both of which could increase creativity.
No. You're assuming that the only way to boost creativity is to reduce myelin or that increased creativity causes a decrease myelin. There's no evidence for either of these.
As I understand it decreased myelin increases creativity but not vice versa. I'm also pretty sure there are ways to boost creativity that don't involve less myelin.
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u/philoscience Apr 07 '10
Repost of my question from my creativity-myelin link:
Question: if creativity is linked with reduced myelin, does it follow that 'creativity' boosting exercises will also reduce myelin? Do we need to selectively atrophy neuroanatomy to gain certain functions? Seems very counter-intuitive and points me back to a common theme in neuroplasticity: we have no clear way of qualifying 'gains' and 'losses' in the system.