The Subconscious Superpower: Unlocking Innovation
This article dives into an often-overlooked tool for innovation: the power of your subconscious.
Why the Subconscious Mind is Key to Innovation
The conscious mind—the part of you that’s actively thinking—processes information at a modest pace, around 300 bits per second. It’s great for logical, step-by-step tasks, but struggles to connect seemingly unrelated concepts. Note that a new study shows an even slower processing speed, 10 bits per second. I find the MIT study more plausible, as my own testing (done without proper controls or statistical validation) showed a speed similar to that found by MIT. However, hairsplitting over 10 bps vs 300 bps misses the big picture: Neither speed is adequate to explain human survival and achievements.
On the other hand, your subconscious mind is great at parallel processing. It can analyze and connect huge amounts of information simultaneously. This ability is the foundation of many breakthroughs in creativity and innovation.
Food for Thought: Large Language Models (or “AI” as it exists today) run on massively parallel processors called GPUs (among other names). Instead of a single “brain”, it exploits hundreds or thousands of “brains” that are capable of recognizing patterns and connections that a single processor would have trouble finding. It may well be a similar mechanism that powers the human subconscious.
How the Subconscious Drives Creativity
- Pattern Recognition
- Your subconscious is hardwired to spot patterns, even in complex or chaotic environments. For example:
- When you glance at a landscape, your subconscious quickly identifies a camouflaged coyote.
- When you look at tree bark, your brain might “see” faces. Humans are social creatures, and we evolved to see faces even where none exist. In the same way that AI models “hallucinate”, humans “hallucinate” faces.
- Your subconscious is hardwired to spot patterns, even in complex or chaotic environments. For example:
- Connecting Ideas
- Innovation often involves combining concepts from different fields. The subconscious is built to make these unexpected links because it processes information without the restrictions of conscious thought. Think about the weirdest dreams you’ve had. They probably involve things that don’t normally have any connection to each other.
- Working, Always Working
- Ever had a eureka moment while taking a shower or driving? That’s your subconscious doing what it does — constantly looking for connections. When your conscious mind takes a break, your subconscious continues to work problems. Creative insights often flow from this background processing.
How to Harness Your Subconscious Superpower
- Engage in Focused Thinking
- Spend time consciously thinking about the problem or challenge. This “primes” your subconscious with the necessary information.
- Take a Break
- Step away from the problem and engage in a relaxing or unrelated activity. Let your subconscious work in the background.
- Treat Your Senses
- Walk outdoors, listen to music (I tend to listen to Sumo Cyco or similar music), or have a look at some art. These activities can activate the subconscious, which in turn will generate ideas and connections.
- Embrace Daydreaming
- Let your mind wander. Some of the best ideas happen when you’re not trying to force them. I hit this in another video, but it is worth discussing here as well: While drugs can cause disinhibition similar to daydreaming, the mental impairment that accompanies their use makes drug-induced inhibition a poor, and often counterproductive, way to reach disinhibition. Sure, you’re disinhibited, but can you remember what you just invented?
Closing Thoughts
Your subconscious mind is an innovation engine, capable of solving problems and generating ideas in ways your conscious mind can’t. By using this “subconscious superpower,” you can unlock creativity and innovation.