Other studies show similar results. Consider the task of finding the common link among three cue words (SHIP OUTER CRAWL). If the distraction presented alongside those cue words is not misleading (SHIP-ocean OUT-inner CRAWL-baby), but instead is helpful (e.g., SHIP-rocket OUTER-atmosphere CRAWL-attic), participants tested at off-peak times benefit from that distraction and solve more problems. Those tested at peak times do not solve more problems with helpful distraction, presumably because they filter out all distraction, even when it might be beneficial.
Thus, being at your best may be over-rated, at least for people seeking innovative ideas or creative solutions. To be sure, if your task requires strong focus and careful concentration - like balancing spreadsheets or reading a textbook - you are better off scheduling that task for your peak time of day. However, if you need to open your mind to alternative approaches and consider diverse options, it may be wise to do so when your filter is not so functional. You just may be able to see what you’ve been missing.
In case you are reading this article at your peak time and are struggling with your “aha moment,” coins were never dated BC because no one knew when (or if) Christ was coming.
Are you a scientist who specializes in neuroscience, cognitive science, or psychology? And have you read a recent peer-reviewed paper that you would like to write about? Please send suggestions to Mind Matters editor Gareth Cook, a Pulitzer prize-winning journalist at the Boston Globe. He can be reached at garethideas AT gmail.com or Twitter @garethideas.
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14 Comments
Add CommentThe antiques dealer made the obvious connection. SciAm has missed a less obvious one: in 544 BC Rome was still ruled by a king (Servurius). Rome's first emperor (Augustus) wouldn't be crowned for another 517 years, and before that happened Rome would have to go through that pesky "Republic" stage.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI guess that with so many flaws in his handiwork, that forger was screwed from the get go.
LMAO at Derick's 'solution'! Perhaps he missed the obvious "BC" - quite an extrapolation into the future for ancient Romans!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI predict sales of Saran wrap to go up among bus drivers.
Since I am never at my 'best', I must always be creative.
For the love of Mike, what the heck does "analytic" and "insight" have to do with creativity?
Never let a scientist get "creative" - all you'll get are symmetrical borders.
Actually, it was the word "stamped" that I missed when I first read it.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMissing the BC wouldn't have done it - by 544 CE (or AD) the Roman Empire was already 69 years dead, having fallen in 475.
...and the Arabic numerals 544 and the letters BC instead of AC or AUC suggest a post-Medieval forgery (or just a sloppy statement of this lateral-thinking puzzle of negative difficulty). I was only annoyed about the words "simply work it out mathematically" because true mathematics involves a whole universe of ingenuity and imagination.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisVery cleverly, however, SciAm is recommending relaxation instead of video games (which had been mentioned earlier in another article) or (what would be worse) any special brain-pills...
There are even more reasons (though I really like Infinoe's!)
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this- Early Romans didn't use bronze coins. Bronze is hard to stamp.
- 544 BC supposedly is before Rome made coins.
- Other civilizations in the area did use coins at that point, but didn't have emperors.
- Romans called the emperor "Imperator", not emperor.
The coin collector recognized the coin as his own. He had robbed earlier.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisROFL I figured my solution was wrong! I guessed the emperors decapitated head on the coin would definitely be worth calling the police over (or perhaps a forensics archeologist?)! I figured the dealer must be a true coin nut to still examine the coin with all that blood on it!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisgatewayplans answer seems a lot more feasible than the "BC" answer. Owning/selling a forgery is not illegal, ever watch pawnstars and see how many forgeries come through their shop? I'm pretty certain that the police are never involved after they send the poor person home with nothing...
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMost people are totally ignorant of the fact that an ancient Mayan pyramid was discovered with an inscription on its top (in Mayan writing) which can be translated as follows: 2012 Years Before The End Of The World! And here is the question: When was this structure finished and why is such a great discovery being kept secret?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe real point which was missed was the the police showed up in their new homeland security armored tank, tossed a few flash bangs into the store and killed everyone. Cased Closed.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI guess that is why I get great ideas around 3 or 4am, I am a night person getting inspired in the morning! ;)
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe Roman Empire fell on 1453, the emperor in 544 AD was Justinian I.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe Roman Empire fell on 1453, the emperor in 544 AD was Justinian I.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIncidentally, in 554 AD Rome was actually part of the Roman Empire, it was the last year of Justinian's reconquest campaign in Italy.
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