BBC: How to cure writer's block-2

Well, these days, 'muse' can refer to anyone who inspire an artist, writer, or musician. But in Ancient Greece, there were nine Muses- and depending on what type of creative thing you did- philosophy, poetry, science, and so on- you invoked- or called upon- that particular Muse to inspire you. 

I call upon you, oh Alice, to enlighten us with more information about the Greek Muses. 

Alright then. So let's listen to Angie Hobbs instead. She's Professor of the Public Understanding of Philosophy, University of Sheffield here in the UK- and here she is now, talking about what the Greek Muses symbolized. 

We've seen that the Muses were connected to running water, to springs, to fountains, fluidity. So if you're musing, you are letting your mind wander, you're opening yourself up to new influences and new ideas, and not thinking in too structured a way. 

Musing, letting your mind wander, thinking in a fluid, unstructured way- that all sounds very pleasant- maybe I should have another go at writing. 

Well, according to research, some people are better at mind wandering and opening themselves up to new ideas than others. Their minds work differently- they have more dopamine in the thalamus region of the brain. 

The thalamus controls consciousness, sleep and the sense and dopamine is the feel-good chemical in the brain. Is that right?

Yes, and having more dopamine in the thalamus enables some people to see the world in a different way- and they express this creativity- through science, music, the arts. Now, before you start musing on how much dopamine you have in your brain, Neil, perhaps you can tell us the answer to today's quiz question?

I asked: How does author of the Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown, deal with writer's block? Does he...a) hang upside down from the ceiling in gravitity boots?

b) clean his 6-bedroom house from top to bottom with a toothbrush? or 

c) run a half- marathon listening to opera music by Richard Wagner?

And I said c) run a half-marathon listening to opera musci by Richard Wagner. 

And you were wrong. Alice! The answer is a) hang upside down from the ceiling in gravity boots. 

Really?

Yes. I expect all that increased blood flow to the brain is helpful in clearing writer's block. 

evoke= awake