{"title":"Eureka Moments Shared by Chemists. Hints at Enhancing One’s Own Creativity (and Even One’s Joy)","authors":"Jeffrey I. Seeman*, and , Judy I. Wu*, ","doi":"10.1021/acscentsci.4c0080210.1021/acscentsci.4c00802","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p >Interviews were conducted with 18 chemists from several subdisciplines of chemistry and include a diversity of demographics on the topic of creativity as seen through the eyes of Eureka moments. The experiences fell within three categories, i.e., (1) analytical problem-solving which can be reconstructed into a series of logical steps that can be identified; (2) memory retrieval processes of previously acquired knowledge; and (3) insights characterized by a sudden and unexpected understanding. There were variations of detail within each category. Suggestions for enhancing the probability of experiencing Eureka moments are provided.</p><p >Eureka moments can occur during all steps of discovery. Eighteen chemists and molecular scientists described their Eureka moments herein. Hints at fostering one’s own Eureka moments are provided.</p>","PeriodicalId":10,"journal":{"name":"ACS Central Science","volume":"10 11","pages":"1980–1996 1980–1996"},"PeriodicalIF":12.7000,"publicationDate":"2024-10-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.acs.org/doi/epdf/10.1021/acscentsci.4c00802","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"ACS Central Science","FirstCategoryId":"92","ListUrlMain":"https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acscentsci.4c00802","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"CHEMISTRY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Interviews were conducted with 18 chemists from several subdisciplines of chemistry and include a diversity of demographics on the topic of creativity as seen through the eyes of Eureka moments. The experiences fell within three categories, i.e., (1) analytical problem-solving which can be reconstructed into a series of logical steps that can be identified; (2) memory retrieval processes of previously acquired knowledge; and (3) insights characterized by a sudden and unexpected understanding. There were variations of detail within each category. Suggestions for enhancing the probability of experiencing Eureka moments are provided.
Eureka moments can occur during all steps of discovery. Eighteen chemists and molecular scientists described their Eureka moments herein. Hints at fostering one’s own Eureka moments are provided.
期刊介绍:
ACS Central Science publishes significant primary reports on research in chemistry and allied fields where chemical approaches are pivotal. As the first fully open-access journal by the American Chemical Society, it covers compelling and important contributions to the broad chemistry and scientific community. "Central science," a term popularized nearly 40 years ago, emphasizes chemistry's central role in connecting physical and life sciences, and fundamental sciences with applied disciplines like medicine and engineering. The journal focuses on exceptional quality articles, addressing advances in fundamental chemistry and interdisciplinary research.