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One of the most mentally productive times of my life so far was when I had a 1 hour (each way) commute in a car with no CD player. I was alone in my thoughts f

by blhack 15y ago

One of the most mentally productive times of my life so far was when I had a 1 hour (each way) commute in a car with no CD player. I was alone in my thoughts for an hour a day with absolutely 0 distractions. Driving was just enough to keep my brain awake, but could get a low enough thread-priority to let me think. I've replaced the driving with biking (I live a lot closer to my job now), but it honestly isn't quite as good. Some of the stuff I came up with then (this was about a year and a half ago), I'm still fleshing out now. Another thing that's close to driving, but not quite as good is yard work. Something about the sound of lawnmowers and weed whackers is really conducive to thinking.

TheSOB88 15y ago
Ever try hiking alone? I'd imagine that'd use the same parts of the brain as driving - visual processing, directions, motor movements, solitude...
tzs 15y ago
Similar for me for several years when I lived in Seattle, but had a job across Puget Sound in Kitsap County. Each way each day I had anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour on a ferry (depending on which ferry I decided to take that day). I could just sit in my car, with some music on, and either technical material I needed to read, or a pad of paper and a pen working out design ideas. No distractions, and if I needed a break to let something turn over in my mind, I could simply step out of the car watch the ocean, or go up to the passenger decks and have a seat or get a snack from the cafeteria. If it was the morning, they had nice breakfasts available.
aerique 15y ago
Curious, biking to work does it for me. I have a very relaxed route though, does yours require you to pay a lot of attention?
Mz 15y ago
I think there is something to be said for just getting clean and killing germs (which is one of the things soap does). I have a compromised immune system, so I am very sensitive to the whole germ thing. Often, the best way for me to break a fever, get to sleep after hours of insomnia, etc is to shower. I am keenly aware of the impact on cognitive function of being even low-grade ill, something other people seem to largely be oblivious to. I don't think that means it doesn't impact them. I think it means it impacts them less and they are unaware of what is causing them to have an "off" day.

by blhack 15y ago

TheSOB88 15y ago

Ever try hiking alone? I'd imagine that'd use the same parts of the brain as driving - visual processing, directions, motor movements, solitude...

tzs 15y ago

Similar for me for several years when I lived in Seattle, but had a job across Puget Sound in Kitsap County. Each way each day I had anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour on a ferry (depending on which ferry I decided to take that day). I could just sit in my car, with some music on, and either technical material I needed to read, or a pad of paper and a pen working out design ideas. No distractions, and if I needed a break to let something turn over in my mind, I could simply step out of the car watch the ocean, or go up to the passenger decks and have a seat or get a snack from the cafeteria. If it was the morning, they had nice breakfasts available.

aerique 15y ago

Curious, biking to work does it for me. I have a very relaxed route though, does yours require you to pay a lot of attention?

Mz 15y ago

I think there is something to be said for just getting clean and killing germs (which is one of the things soap does). I have a compromised immune system, so I am very sensitive to the whole germ thing. Often, the best way for me to break a fever, get to sleep after hours of insomnia, etc is to shower. I am keenly aware of the impact on cognitive function of being even low-grade ill, something other people seem to largely be oblivious to. I don't think that means it doesn't impact them. I think it means it impacts them less and they are unaware of what is causing them to have an "off" day.