Thoughts, then, are simply long sequences of synaptic connection across chains of neurons, as each firing either excites or inhibits further connections. If you could attach little light bulbs to each neuron, you would see a non-stop thunderstorm of lightning flashing and flickering across the surface of the brain.

So with all this connecting, how do we learn? How do we remember things? Very simply because once a terminal button has fired against a second neuron, it becomes more likely that it will fire next time. Think of it like hot ink sloshing over a gently tilted waxen surface. The first time the ink runs, it takes a random course, leaving a little bit of a depression behind from the path that it took. Next time, different routes may be taken, but maybe a little more of the ink runs down the shallow path that has been eroded. When you repeatedly think about the same thing, the channel gets deeper and deeper each time it is used.

Before long you have a repeatable thought that is easier and easier to make. This is what learning and memory is. Virtual grooves in the brain from patterns of thought and perception are what enables us to repeat experiences, using the things that have worked best for us in the past.

In practice, the landscape of the brain is more complex than the wax example as multiple pathways can pass through a single neuron and one neuron can fire more than one subsequent neurons. A single neuron can thus take part in many thoughts, resulting in an almost infinite number of possible thoughts and memories.

A new thought, then, is quite a significant event, as it is too easy to fall into pre-formed mental patterns. Being creative and inventing things is about thinking differently, of forging patterns where there was none before. As biochemist Albert von Szent-Gyorgy put it, "Discovery consists in seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking what no-one else has thought."

An important point to remember from this is that the brain works by patterns. Whether it is patterns of recognition or patterns of behaviour, the past pathways tend to lead future responses, which is a critically important reason why creativity and innovation can be so difficult.

Much more material for all who like to think is on: http://creatingminds.org/#nav

Thank you very much for this post and link GaMMoN.
R

Yes, thanks Gammon.  Very well written.

As was reading your post I recalled the concept of S-R Bonds that I first encountered in Educational Psychology studies many moons ago, succinctly summarised as:

In any unit of  activity there is a Stimulus closely followed by its associated Response.

Also entirely relevant is Edward de Bono's revolutionary, trail-blazing work on Lateral Thinking. For many years it turned the Teaching-Learning process on its head.

Should be more of it! 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_de_Bono

http://www.edwdebono.com/


And finally, there's the classic Straight and Crooked Thinking.

You'll find a readable copy here:

https://www.divinetruth.com/www/en/pdf/People/Other/Robert%20Thouless%20-%20Straight%20And%20Crooked%20Thinking.pdf

There is very little evidence that de bono's methods are effective, as indicated in the article on wikipedia. And here:

http://lateralaction.com/articles/lateral-thinking/

Personally I think the man is a charlatan, and his techniques little more than gimmicks.

The book on "How To Invent (almost) Anything" looks interesting though. Thanks for the link.

Why anybody would want to take any credit away from Edward de Bono, who in his 82 years has introduced many words and phrases into our language that are now embedded firmly in our culture, speaks for itself in motive. One of the qualities in successful 'brainstorming' ( a now somewhat discredited methodology) is to never criticise a colleague's contribution in adding to the sum of an ongoing reach to explore new horizons in development of an idea.

The original idea of a large group around a table freely expanding thoughts is a little naive as there are so many approaches to creative thought, and there are times when it is far more efficient to work alone, or in a small trusted team, or to periodically meet to review. Particularly creative people may well avoid group  exchanges or become inhibited, or intimidated even, so it is necessary when hosting or inviting a creative project to be able to empathise with all contributors and bring out/ draw out the very best in all contributions, as well as inviting private/ solo contributions.

Often progress can be made three steps forward, two steps back, or even going through phases of apparent deadlock or even frustration. Nevertheless de Bono has shown ways to bring forth/ break out of limitations, and even the brilliance of 'giving it a name' is a major breakthrough, and all progress should be acknowledged in thinking, however small the steps.

An attitude/ emotion of gratitude, positive anticipation, expectation of success, mutual respect, and celebration of progress is helpful.

Breakthroughs are always at the frontier of attention, and of course some ideas are seen with hindsight to be questionable, and in need of further development, or even flawed. However that is the nature of progress - sometimes it can be circular till improved.  However we all contribute and with the right spirit and attitude why limit ourselves when we are so full of potential to explore and expand our minds.

A grudging, overly conservative, inherently restrictive attitude, never affording praise for progress or effort, overly critical, or cynical view of suggestions, ideas, theories, is counter productive to forward thinking and true risk taking brilliance. 'Healthy' scepticism is a term that may assist balance of assessment. However there are times when change is the dynamic driving force of the spirit of a time. Asking questions is always the correct way to progress.

That is why de Bono was a child of his times in the 60's revolution of cultural renewal and breakthroughs in design, music, arts, culture and science. He was prepared to take risks, question, explore and name new territories in psychology applied to all areas of life experience.

From direct experience right now in my own professional life I am faced with the challenge and privilege of being being part of a small three part team to solve a fantastic puzzle that means so much to all three of us. How do we approach this? We harness some of de Bono's methodology, and we celebrate the principles of 'lateral thinking', attempting to problem solve in all manner of ways. The diary of our progress will one day be a most interesting read, but therein will be due credit, however indirectly to de Bono to reach and 'stretch across' for answers.

Quote from: XXVV on February 28, 2016, 08:20:00 PM
Why anybody would want to take any credit away from Edward de Bono, who in his 82 years has introduced many words and phrases into our language that are now embedded firmly in our culture, speaks for itself in motive.

As far as I'm aware "lateral thinking" is the only term de bono introduced. What others are you thinking of?

Yes, he can take credit for introducing the term "lateral thinking", but not much else. There is very little evidence that his methods have any merit, that's the "motive". You only have to look at his website to see that it's mostly about self-promotion -- and look at the prices he charges for his courses! 

Apart from having nothing to do with thinking, his theory about how the mind works is absurd, but then psychology is just a pseudo-science anyway.

I would recommend TRIZ over lateral thinking because it's much more focused and isn't derived from dubious theories of the mind but analysis of actual patents and creative ideas.

Is that a book on that link or what??
I am very interested in this kind of things

Why not consult Mr Google to answer that question?

Absolutely agree with "Mike"

Triz source can really help.

Good luck!

If you think you have a difficult problem then you're making it up wrong.

Consider images observed/ created ( always patterns) imbued with full application of all our sense experiences in total detail and focus, and charged with emotion that for example might be to really passionately wish for a best result.

That is thinking - selecting images and overlaying emotion.

Even better thinking is then to consider improving the images as skill improves, and better, more appropriate choices are made.

We are surrounded by opportunity to create and give form to our desires.

Ask yourself what is 'Mind' ?  What is 'Consciousness' ?  What is 'Life' ?

Questions are always thought in action and illustrate intelligence.

Always question.

Wherever there is Consciousness, Life expression, there is 'building' ( at all levels).  Consciousness builds.

Inherently we are always looking for and finding 'patterns'. Patterns are expressions of consciousness ( at all levels).

Realize your images as a growing 'built' demonstration of your skills.

When better choices are made we are assisted to realize and give enriched form to our selected desires. and build more complex and more beautiful patterns.

This thread is exactly such, a string of linked images forming a pattern, a message.

Implicit in this message is that we build, build, and re-build our world. We are always seeking to find better ways/ solutions - this is what Consciousness is/ does - always expanding.