Maybe we have something like a consciousness filter. We are only consciously aware of ideas or perceptions that are strong enough to pass the filter threshold.

Maybe we have something like a consciousness filter. We are only consciously aware of ideas or perceptions that are strong enough to pass the filter threshold. It would make sense that people with a low threshold would be more easily distracted by weak environmental stimuli but they would also be more likely to be aware of their own ideas and hence would be better at generating ideas. People with a high threshold would not be easily distracted and would have an easy time remaining focused on tasks which are "not too hard" in that the next step is strongly suggested by the current step. I think much programming is like this. To be successful at solving hard problems we need to vary our consciousness threshold, as others have said in different words.