This sounds like something right out of a science fiction novel, but new research suggests it might actually be possible to learn complex tasks with little or no conscious effort. Mind blowing, for sure!
Just thinking about the possibilities brings up the dangers of having the power to implant new skills into people’s minds without their even being aware of what they are learning. It feels a bit like brain washing. The more contradictory the ‘new idea’ is to our current beliefs, the more likely we are to resist it – or better yet to say it is unethical, describe how it will destroy society as we know it, and on and on. I’m sure the idea is likely sparking some emotional response in you – maybe you are excited about it? Hey, who doesn’t want to be able to play the guitar like a rock start without putting in the hours to learn how?
How can we explore in an effective way a major disruption that shakes our fundamental beliefs?
One of New & Improved favorite creative tools is “the heretical notion.” Described in detail in More Lightning, Less Thunder - How to Energize Innovation Teams, written by New & Improved's founders, Bob Eckert and Jonathan Vehar, this tool teaches you the ability to spot a commonly accepted belief and declare that the opposite is true, causing a disruption in a group’s thinking patterns. Then, instead of scrambling to restore order, (by defending the truth of the belief), you calm everybody down and explore the heretical notion in search of value. Let’s give it a try.
Accepted Belief: We all agree that we learn by making an effort, right? Like reading; listening, experiencing, thinking, and remembering; getting knowledge through courses, webinars, workshops, laboratories, meetings —you name it.
OK, now put on your “heretic outfit” (the one that came with the plastic armor and that cardboard axe for slaying sacred dragons) and summon up some courage. What are the possible values if you could download skills into your brain without even trying? Read on
To contribute your thoughts on the possibility of downloading new skills into your brain, you can join the conversation at our Linkedin group – InnovativeBrains.
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