Do we think better when our thinking is interrupted?

Is the mind the same as the body? What is consciousness? Can machines have it?

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Philosophy Explorer
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Do we think better when our thinking is interrupted?

Post by Philosophy Explorer »

My belief is yes based on personal experience. It seems that interruptions is a welcomed relief from thinking in my case.

How about you?

PhilX
duszek
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Re: Do we think better when our thinking is interrupted?

Post by duszek »

Many people think and formulate their thoughts at the same time.
Interruptions can lead to losing the line of reasoning one was trying to follow and present.

When I write a story then some interruptions would not be so bad, I suppose.
Unless they grasp my attention and I cannot concentrate on the story any more, the new input obsorbing my mind too much.
Walker
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Re: Do we think better when our thinking is interrupted?

Post by Walker »

Too many interruptions lead to burnout, which is a physical, synaptic condition similar to PTSD. It's the long-term version, low temp., slow cooking.
duszek
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Re: Do we think better when our thinking is interrupted?

Post by duszek »

But if you are overcome by gloomy thoughts, or even obsessed by them, then an interruption could have some good effect. It would be a restart.
Or if you are stuck and your brain is overheating.
After a break of a minute the thinking can become more productive.

These are rare cases though, so Walker does have a point, yes.
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PauloL
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Re: Do we think better when our thinking is interrupted?

Post by PauloL »

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It's no coincidence that silence helps concentration.

The worst thing that can happen to me is when my thoughts are interrupted and lose them and can't retake them. This happens more commonly when I drive (at slow sleep of course).




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Dalek Prime
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Re: Do we think better when our thinking is interrupted?

Post by Dalek Prime »

There is no vacancy upstairs. Stop trying to occupy my mind.
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