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'Just Sleep On It' Solves Tricky Problems?
An anonymous reader writes "CBC news reports that the effectiveness of 'sleeping on it' when faced with a difficult task may have more than just anecdotal roots. 66 students were trained to perform a calculation on an eight digit number using two simple rules which would take seven steps to complete. A different method existed to perform the same calculation 'almost instantly', but was not shown to the students. After eight hours, where half the students were allowed to sleep and the other half remained awake, 60% of the rested and 22% of the wakeful students discovered the more efficient method."
( from wikipedia )
"The chemist Kekule was the first to deduce the ring structure of benzene; after years of studying carbon bonding, benzene and related molecules, the solution to the benzene structure came to him in a dream of a snake eating its own tail. Upon waking was inspired to deduce the ring structure of benzene. "
try { do() || do_not(); } catch (JediException err) { yoda(err); }
Very good book series; I read those as a kid. I have to wonder how much of the series was grounded in reality-- I'm sure at least a good chunk of it was, considering the overall accuracy in results for each of Tom's stunts.
I'm amazed this made the news, though. I had assumed it a given that sleeping on something helped-- put your subconscious on it awhile, rest your body at the same time, and wake up refreshed and ready to tackle the problem.
Think one thing. Think it well.
Ben
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