Be More Creative: Bisociation With The Brain
In 2024, I wrote three novel manuscripts. Each of them are filled with fragments of my thoughts, fears, and imagination. While none of them are anywhere near publishing, going to so many new depths of creativity is just so damn fun.
I found a way to connect old forgotten gods to therapy. I gave a boy a parasitic blind dragon to be his best friend. I smashed old Māori folklore with trauma.
And I had so much fun with it.
There’s something profoundly satisfying about creating. You know, it's the plotting, crafting, and weaving. It’s the devious “oh what if I did this” moments and making them come to life.
It didn’t matter that I had no audience. The process itself was the reward.
What I didn’t realize at the time was that my brain was actually hard at work. In the background it was connecting the dots between experience, ideas, and knowledge to pop out something new.
In a way, I was a case study for bisociation in action.
We have that special capacity in our brain to create from disparate concepts something coherent and powerful. Neuroscience can explain how such magic happens.
Default Mode Network (DMN)
The Default Mode Network (DMN) is kind of like the brain’s “imagination engine.” It comes alive during moments of rest. And I mean rest as in activities like daydreaming, reflecting, or even zoning out. The DMN’s ability to connect seemingly unrelated concepts is what makes it so amazing.
And perhaps… unusual.
Everyone reading this no doubt has had moments of where they go “that is a brilliant idea!” I’m talking about the kind that appear while taking a shower or strolling through the park. That’s the DMN at work, trailing connections in the background.
It’s a reminder that stepping back is actually a really creative idea.
It also is bisociation in action.
However, modern life often doesn’t always make room for wandering thoughts. There is an addiction of notifications and deadlines which leaves little space to step back. Hell, it leaves little desire to. This might explain why innovation often feels stifled due to hyper-productivity.
I think it’s important to think about how quiet times can inspire creativity. These breaks help us refuel our creativity. Creating the conditions for bisociation is actually more important than we realise.
I know there’s something countercultural about embracing this slower rhythm. But maybe that’s part of its charm. After all, the mind’s most creative work often happens when we’re not forcing it. Bisociation thrives on these quiet interludes, not because they’re idle, but because they allow the mind to do what it does best: surprise.
Cognitive Flexibility
Like my old Staff Sergeant used to say, “the top two inches needs to be flexible.”
It’s a skill that helps switch between different thoughts and understand new viewpoints. Further down the track, this helps us link ideas to generate something new. When the mind can adapt quickly, you’ll find it easier to think creatively and solve problems.
Bisociation is the outcome of this flexibility.
When two different ideas collide, they can create something completely new. Mental flexibility sets the stage for these unexpected connections. Without the ability to see things differently, these innovative insights would stay hidden. In this sense, cognitive flexibility is both a condition and a practice.
We have to be aware that the temporal lobes supply the memories and stored information that allows creative connections. Along that, the prefrontal cortex of the brain serves as the conductor of this information. The two work in tandem, not in isolation.
The brain can and should switch between several fields. Consider how some chefs use technical concepts to develop new items, or how some scientists use artistic concepts. Although, it takes effort to establish these ties. To connect disparate knowledge domains, the brain needs recognizable patterns and prior experiences.
There is a line, though.
The more pressure we enforce, the more stress we generate. Now, at a certain point, stress makes this process harder. When under pressure, the brain goes into survival mode. This limits creative exploration and blocking those valuable mental connections.
Dopamine’s Role
Dopamine isn’t just the brain’s way of saying “well done.” It’s a lot more than that. This addicting reward is a driving force behind curiosity that makes creativity possible. When it comes to bisociation, dopamine serves as both catalyst and as a reward.
Or the other way round.
This neurochemical acts both as a motivator for connections and as a reinforcer.
The brain releases dopamine when problems are solved or a breakthrough occurs. This reward mechanism builds successful pathways. This same mechanism strengthens creative thinking.
Dopamine also drives exploration and risk-taking before the moment of insight. Yes, before. Elevated levels promote curiosity and openness to novelty. This sets the stage for bisociation by encouraging cognitive flexibility and a willingness to explore.
When we look under the hood, dopamine has a key role in enhancing mental agility, activation of memory and knowledge, all to reinforce novelty.
Or the “aha” moment.
This interaction helps connect seemingly unrelated ideas, the hallmark of bisociation. Novel experiences trigger dopamine, making the brain more receptive to unconventional connections. Dopamine amplifies the satisfaction of discovery, creating a feedback loop that we all love.
Aha for more Ahas
Bisociation is an approach worth knowing and understanding.
Whether it’s the wandering of the Default Mode Network or the dopamine rush, the neuroscience proves that it can be done.
But let's be clear, it's not a perfect solution.
Critiques of bisociation remind us that creativity is neither tidy nor formulaic.
Why?
Well, it’s messy and ambiguous and profoundly human. The real power doesn’t come from its preciseness. I actually believe its power is in how it nudges us to think differently, and at the same time, it pushes us to see the world differently.
So, peel it back. See what comes up in your own experience of bisociation.
