Noise, Noise, Noise

[On Not Killing Creativity - X]

Those new earbuds are good. For music. Podcasts. Books on tape.

Alexa is nice. “Hey Alexa, play Concerto No. 9 by Bach…actually, play Kanye’s new album.”

Apple streaming services are convenient. All the newest music is right there.

Noise is everywhere. Much of it we create ourselves.

But creativity thrives in silence.
Innovation needs space. Mental space. Empty space—not filled with Netflix or music or podcasts or phone calls.

Does that mean to truly be creative we have to awkwardly drive our cars or ride the subway without NPR? No. And Yes.

It means that your creative capacities recharge when you give your mind time to rest. Listen to NPR on your commute, but find time to go on a walk without the latest "All Things Considered" interview playing in your ear (and the background of your mind).

Again, creativity thrives in silence.