Whilst waiting for my car oil to be changed (one hour and 15 minutes) I read an article in" Poets and Writer's Magazine" about the influx of noise and information in our current times. The article asked whether 24 hour information access limited one's flow time and ability to allow an "unconscious intelligence" to be at work. Unconscious intelligence would be what the mind thinks about and works on whilst another part of our mind and selves is doing the dishes or running or vacuuming or whatever.
Several writers were mentioned with regard to their moving to remote places in order to get away from the distractions of constant television, cell phones and so forth. Even before the glut of mechanical devices to disseminate information such writers as J.D. Salinger retired to bucolic environments to work. But others claim the availability of information does not distract them from their creative purpose.
Is this just a personality thing? Some of us need quiet and lack of distractions to create? Others aren't bothered by the cacophony and/or can ignore it? I am one of the former. However, my personality is such that regardless of my creativity or not, I do better in a quiet, calm, orderly environment.
How about you? What is the best environment for you to work in? Do you feel overwhelmed sometimes by the accessibility of information, is it too much information? Or does it flow off your shoulders like water?
