• Home
  • Blog
  • Books
  • Store
    • E-books
  • Up Close
    • About me
    • Testimonials
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  •  

Merce Cardus

Sign up to get the last articles delivered to your email box.

Three Visionary Scientists Who Embraced Limitations to Have Creative Outbursts

in Creativity, Science on 30/06/16

Share
Tweet
Pin
Share
0 Shares

Janna Levin on creativity

Many procrastinators have claimed that ever-closer deadlines help them focus and enforce creativity. There may be something to that. Not quite the procrastination, but the forced wall of immovability restricting them that gets gears going. For proof, get your hands on a copy of The Five Obstructions, a documentary where experimental Danish filmmaker Lars von Trier inflicts five restrictions on his filmmaking mentor and friend Jørgen Leth, pushing him to make the same short film five times in different ways, driving him to the edge of creativity (and of his sanity).

Janna Levin, professor of physics and astronomy at Barnard College at Columbia University and author of Black Hole Blues, believes that it’s the restrictions in science that help scientists get more creative. It’s these limits that give scientists something to work against, or with, and force them to move forward.

Albert Einstein himself, who was recently proven right about gravitational waves after 100 years, had his own limits that aided him in science. Einstein believed that light travels at a certain speed; no faster, no slower. He believed that anything else might change, anything else could be just a theory so long as the speed of light remained the same. Because he had this one constant, the speed of light, he went on to break new ground with the theory of relativity, black holes, and the shape of space. Despite having the restriction of something that could not be changed, Einstein arrived at multiple theorems still being proved true today.

Heisenberg had a similar creative burst from his own uncertainty principle. He said one can’t know exactly where a particle is. This doesn’t really add up to how we typically think about things – we can usually tell where an object is. But a particle’s momentum and the path of its motion are too complicated, especially after we’ve disturbed it. Because of this, he says we just can’t know where the particle is. And with this constant uncertainty, Heisenberg went on to discuss quantum physics in a new way.

Levin’s final example of limitation leading to creativity is Kurt Gödel. Gödel’s theory of limitation was complicated, in that he wanted to prove that not everything can be proven. His theory, considering everything including basic arithmetic, states that not everything can be proven true or false, not everything can be known in the mathematical proven state. But this idea propagated further creativity, including the invention of the computer and artificial intelligence. It was the limitations of the unknown that helped Alan Turing complete the very machines that were the building blocks of the high-tech, cutting-edge device that you’re reading these words on right now. Three cheers for limitations!

Share
Tweet
Pin
Share
0 Shares

Get the Best Reads on Writing, Screenwriting, Self-Publishing & Better Living

« Taking Charge Of Yourself
LinkFest ~ Best Reads on Writing, Screenwriting & Self-Publishing: Writing Is Rewriting »

Hi, I’m Merce!

Welcome to my site, the place where writers & publishers can find useful information, insights, resources & inspiration for writing, self-publishing & living a better ... View Post

Merce Cardus

Get Started with my Most Popular Posts

Letting go

The Dao of Letting Go (and Not Trying)

A Skill You Can Cultivate: The Art Of Not Panicking

You Are Not Doing What Makes You Happy and What You Can Do About It

How to build a great daily routine

How To Build A Great Daily Routine

LinkFest ~ Best Reads on Writing, Screenwriting & Self-Publishing: Know Who You Are

Search By Category

  • Category Index

mercecardus

Mer
Bosco verticale ↕️ vs Bosco orizzontale ↔️ Bosco verticale ↕️ vs Bosco orizzontale ↔️ 
#merinmilano #milano #italy #milan #italia #lombardia #design #madeinitaly #milanocity #igersmilano #iorestoacasa #architecture #italianstyle #italiainunoscatto #italia_inunoscatto #italia_landscape #italian_city #italian_trips #italia_super_pics #italiabella #italiani #igersitalia #italia_da_scoprire #italianart #streetart #boscoverticale
Esatto. 👌 #merinmilano #milano #italy #milan # Esatto. 👌
#merinmilano #milano #italy #milan #italia #lombardia #design #madeinitaly #milanocity #igersmilano #iorestoacasa #architecture #italianstyle #italiainunoscatto #italia_inunoscatto #italia_landscape #italian_city #italian_trips #italia_super_pics #italiabella #italiani #igersitalia #italia_da_scoprire #italianart #streetart #viaggio
Oggi solo io e te. Dating the city! 🤗 #merinmi Oggi solo io e te.
Dating the city! 🤗
#merinmilano #milano #italy #milan #italia #lombardia #design #madeinitaly #milanocity #igersmilano #iorestoacasa #architecture #italianstyle #italiainunoscatto #italia_inunoscatto #italia_landscape #italian_city #italian_trips #italia_super_pics #italiabella #italiani #igersitalia #italia_da_scoprire #italianart #streetart #friends #butfirstcoffee
So… This is IT! 😃 Right, @saminzecity ? #mer So… This is IT! 😃
Right, @saminzecity ?
#merinmilano #milano #italy #milan #italia #lombardia #design #madeinitaly #milanocity #igersmilano #iorestoacasa #architecture #italianstyle #italiainunoscatto #italia_inunoscatto #italia_landscape #italian_city #italian_trips #italia_super_pics #italiabella #italiani #igersitalia #italia_da_scoprire #italianart #streetart #friends #butfirstcoffee
Doubt is resistance; Faith is surrender. 🙏 #me Doubt is resistance;
Faith is surrender. 🙏
#merinbarcelona #barcelona #HolaBarcelona #catalunya #catalunyaexperience #barcelonagram #loves_barcelona #total_barcelona #raconsde_catalunya #ok_catalunya #ig_barcelona #barcelona_world #ig_catalonia #elmeupetit_pais #descobreixcatalunya #barcelonaexperience #barcelona_turisme #barcelonalife #barcelonalovers #architecture #architecturephotography #architecturelovers #nature #naturephotography #naturelovers
Embrace progress ⚙️ #merinbarcelona #barcelon Embrace progress ⚙️
#merinbarcelona #barcelona #HolaBarcelona #catalunya #catalunyaexperience #barcelonagram #loves_barcelona #total_barcelona #raconsde_catalunya #ok_catalunya #ig_barcelona #barcelona_world #ig_catalonia #elmeupetit_pais #descobreixcatalunya #barcelonaexperience #barcelona_turisme #barcelonalife #barcelonalovers #architecture #architecturephotography #architecturelovers #nature #naturephotography #naturelovers #gaudiarchitecture #sagradafamília
You can’t win if you don’t play. But the quest You can’t win if you don’t play. But the question isn’t, what do you enjoy?
The question is, what price are you willing to pay for?
.
Happy weekend! ❤️
#merinbarcelona #barcelona #HolaBarcelona #catalunya #catalunyaexperience #barcelonagram #loves_barcelona #total_barcelona #raconsde_catalunya #ok_catalunya #ig_barcelona #barcelona_world #ig_catalonia #elmeupetit_pais #descobreixcatalunya #barcelonaexperience #barcelona_turisme #barcelonalife #barcelonalovers #architecture #architecturephotography #architecturelovers #nature #naturephotography #naturelovers
The Universe is an infinite playground of magical The Universe is an infinite playground of magical possibilities.
👉The Force is with You. 
#merinbarcelona #barcelona #HolaBarcelona #catalunya #catalunyaexperience #barcelonagram #loves_barcelona #total_barcelona #raconsde_catalunya #ok_catalunya #ig_barcelona #barcelona_world #ig_catalonia #elmeupetit_pais #descobreixcatalunya #barcelonaexperience #barcelona_turisme #barcelonalife #barcelonalovers #architecture #architecturephotography #architecturelovers #nature #naturephotography #naturelovers
The audacity to start believing in the not-yet see The audacity to start believing in the not-yet seen.—
#merinbarcelona #barcelona #HolaBarcelona #catalunya #catalunyaexperience #barcelonagram #loves_barcelona #total_barcelona #raconsde_catalunya #ok_catalunya #ig_barcelona #barcelona_world #ig_catalonia #elmeupetit_pais #descobreixcatalunya #barcelonaexperience #barcelona_turisme #barcelonalife #barcelonalovers #architecture #architecturephotography #architecturelovers #nature #naturephotography #naturelovers
La Sagrada Família with @lego ❤️ #merinbarce La Sagrada Família with @lego ❤️
#merinbarcelona #barcelona #HolaBarcelona #catalunya #catalunyaexperience #barcelonagram #loves_barcelona #total_barcelona #raconsde_catalunya #ok_catalunya #ig_barcelona #barcelona_world #ig_catalonia #elmeupetit_pais #descobreixcatalunya #barcelonaexperience #barcelona_turisme #barcelonalife #barcelonalovers #architecture #architecturephotography #architecturelovers #nature #naturephotography #naturelovers  #lasagradafamilia #lego
Togetherness #merinbarcelona #barcelona #HolaBar Togetherness 
#merinbarcelona #barcelona #HolaBarcelona #catalunya #catalunyaexperience #barcelonagram #loves_barcelona #total_barcelona #raconsde_catalunya #ok_catalunya #ig_barcelona #barcelona_world #ig_catalonia #elmeupetit_pais #descobreixcatalunya #barcelonaexperience #barcelona_turisme #barcelonalife #barcelonalovers #architecture #architecturephotography #architecturelovers #nature #naturephotography #naturelovers #togetherness
Feliç Diada de Sant Jordi! 🌹📚 . Ps. A new b Feliç Diada de Sant Jordi! 🌹📚
.
Ps. A new book is coming up! 😉😃🙋‍♀️
#merinbarcelona #barcelona #HolaBarcelona #catalunya #catalunyaexperience #barcelonagram #loves_barcelona #total_barcelona #raconsde_catalunya #ok_catalunya #ig_barcelona #barcelona_world #ig_catalonia #elmeupetit_pais #descobreixcatalunya #barcelonaexperience #barcelona_turisme #barcelonalife #barcelonalovers #architecture #architecturephotography #architecturelovers #nature #naturephotography #naturelovers  #santjordi2022 #feliçdiadadesantjordi #booklovers
No matter how long your journey appears to be, the No matter how long your journey appears to be, there’s never more than this: one step, one breath, one moment — Now. 
—Eckhart Tolle 
.
. 
.
. 
#merintortosa #tortosa #terresdelebre #igersesbre #natu #awesome_earthpix #natgeoyourshot #natureonly #natgeotravel #nature_of_our_world #ig_nature_naturally #roamtheplanet #landscape_capture #paisajesnaturales #calm #naturephotography #landscapes #landscape_photography #pixel_ig #landscape_hunter #landscape_lovers #landscapecaptures #landscapestyles_gf #getlost #skyporn #explorer #sunsetlovers #createexplore #exploretocreate #architecturelovers
A mirror to remind you who you are. . . . . #mer A mirror to remind you who you are.
.
. 
.
. 
#merintortosa #tortosa #terresdelebre #igersesbre #natu #awesome_earthpix #natgeoyourshot #natureonly #natgeotravel #nature_of_our_world #ig_nature_naturally #roamtheplanet #landscape_capture #paisajesnaturales #calm #naturephotography #landscapes #landscape_photography #pixel_ig #landscape_hunter #landscape_lovers #landscapecaptures #landscapestyles_gf #getlost #skyporn #explorer #sunsetlovers #createexplore #exploretocreate #architecturelovers
Relax as it is. . . . . #merintortosa #tortosa # Relax as it is.
.
. 
.
. 
#merintortosa #tortosa #terresdelebre #igersesbre #natu #awesome_earthpix #natgeoyourshot #natureonly #natgeotravel #nature_of_our_world #ig_nature_naturally #roamtheplanet #landscape_capture #paisajesnaturales #calm #naturephotography #landscapes #landscape_photography #pixel_ig #landscape_hunter #landscape_lovers #landscapecaptures #landscapestyles_gf #getlost #skyporn #explorer #sunsetlovers #createexplore #exploretocreate #architecturelovers
Into the wild. . . . . #merintortosa #tortosa #t Into the wild.
.
. 
.
. 
#merintortosa #tortosa #terresdelebre #igersesbre #natu #awesome_earthpix #natgeoyourshot #natureonly #natgeotravel #nature_of_our_world #ig_nature_naturally #roamtheplanet #landscape_capture #paisajesnaturales #calm #naturephotography #landscapes #landscape_photography #pixel_ig #landscape_hunter #landscape_lovers #landscapecaptures #landscapestyles_gf #getlost #skyporn #explorer #sunsetlovers #createexplore #exploretocreate #architecturelovers
Mini-Vatican. . . . . #merintortosa #tortosa #te Mini-Vatican.
.
. 
.
. 
#merintortosa #tortosa #terresdelebre #igersesbre #natu #awesome_earthpix #natgeoyourshot #natureonly #natgeotravel #nature_of_our_world #ig_nature_naturally #roamtheplanet #landscape_capture #paisajesnaturales #calm #naturephotography #landscapes #landscape_photography #pixel_ig #landscape_hunter #landscape_lovers #landscapecaptures #landscapestyles_gf #getlost #skyporn #explorer #blue #createexplore #exploretocreate #architecturelovers
Un libro con un titolo così bello si compra, e ba Un libro con un titolo così bello si compra, e basta. 🤓🌊
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
. 
.
. .
.
. .
#merinlampolla #lampolla #terresdelebre #igersesbre #natu #awesome_earthpix #natgeoyourshot #natureonly #natgeotravel #nature_of_our_world #ig_nature_naturally #roamtheplanet #landscape_capture #paisajesnaturales #calm #naturephotography #landscapes #landscape_photography #pixel_ig #landscape_hunter #landscape_lovers #landscapecaptures #landscapestyles_gf #getlost #skyporn #explorer #worldshotz #sea #exploretocreate #familytime
Sister Sistaaa ❤️ Let me tell you. We were hav Sister Sistaaa ❤️
Let me tell you.
We were having lunch…when suddenly…{swipe 👀}
Well, you know what they say, right?
De Madrid al cielo. 🚀😂
.
.
.
.
.
#merinmadrid #madrid #citylifemadrid #madridlovers #madridmadrid #madridcity #madridgram #igersmadrid #madridmola #madridseduce #madridlife #madridencanta #madrid_best_photos #pasion_por_madrid #total_madrid #madridmemata #madridstreetart #madridmemola #madridstreetlife #madridstyle #visitmadrid #madridneoyorkino #architecture #architecturelovers #sistersister #havingfun
When you ask for a Table for one…😄🥩 #meri When you ask for a Table for one…😄🥩
#merinmadrid #madrid #citylifemadrid #madridlovers #madridmadrid #madridcity #madridgram #igersmadrid #madridmola #madridseduce #madridlife #madridencanta #madrid_best_photos #pasion_por_madrid #total_madrid #madridmemata #madridstreetart #madridmemola #madridstreetlife #madridstyle #visitmadrid #madridneoyorkino #architecture #architecturelovers #meatlovers #tableforone
Load more... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2023 · Merce Cardus

  • Category Index
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy