Machine can switch off brain by transmitting harmless magnetic pulses

Apr 1 2004

Professor Snyder's creativity machine was developed at the Centre for the Mind, a joint venture between The Australian National University and the University of Sydney. The machine transmits harmless magnetic pulses through the brain, temporarily switching part of it off, with the potential to reveal an inner genius

In the latest issue of New Scientist, Professor Snyder, Director of the Centre, said the machine promised to reveal a wealth of information about the potential of individuals.

"We can all become more creative!" Professor Snyder said.

"The normal brain is conceptual, seeing the whole but not the parts. Being creative is all about linking seemingly disparate ideas into a new synthesis.

"To be creative, you need to see the world as it really is, in order to join up the dots differently.

"It's this understanding of the mechanics of the brain that encapsulates the power - and the promise - of the creativity machine."

Professor Snyder speculated that this strategy could allow adults to acquire accent-free second language skills, restore absolute pitch and improve recall of detail.

Professor Snyder himself embodies creativity, being singled out by Bulletin / Newsweek as one of "Australia's Top 10 Creative Minds". In 2001 he won the world's foremost prize in communications and information technology, the Marconi Prize, and previously the International Australia Prize.

Professor Snyder's intriguing research is the cover feature in the 3 April 2004 edition of New Scientist and discussed in articles in the 1 April 2004 edition of Nature, and the April issue of the Journal Integrated Neuroscience.