A recent study conducted by researchers in the Mathematics department at the University of London, Queen Mary, has unveiled the mechanism behind the emergence of new ideas. Published in the journal Nature Communications, the article explains how our brains combine familiar elements to create something that did not exist before.
Through their research, scientists have identified two types of discoveries. The first type includes personal finds, such as when a person listens to a song for the first time or visits an unfamiliar place. The second type encompasses achievements that are groundbreaking for all of humanity, such as technological inventions and medications.
Professor Vito Lator, who has a strong interest in creativity and innovation, stated to Phys.org, “I have always been passionate about creativity and innovation – the driving forces of human progress.” His research group has been delving into the nature of creativity to understand what makes new ideas, teams, products, and technical solutions successful.
Previously, researchers predominantly focused on simple discoveries where something appears for the first time. However, the team highlighted the importance of another crucial mechanism of innovation – creating a new way by combining existing elements. This principle, referred to as the “novelty of the highest order,” is evident in poetry when unique verses are crafted from ordinary words, and in music, where familiar notes are fashioned into original melodies.
To aid in their research, the team has developed the ERRWT system (EDGE-RINFORCED RANDOM Walk with Triggering), which is based on the mathematical principle of random wandering. This system evolves step by step, with each new position determined solely by the current position, and with equal possibilities for movement in all directions.
Professor Lator explained the model using an analogy: envision all possible ideas as points on a network, with lines between them indicating how closely related or similar the concepts are. The model’s unique feature lies in showcasing the development of these networks. The “Creator” in this context does not merely follow established paths but forges new ways and generates new points, pushing the boundaries of the possible with each discovery.
The model operates on two key mechanisms. The first, Edge Reinforcement, involves strengthening existing connections – the more frequently a pathway between ideas is utilized, the more familiar and natural it becomes. The second mechanism, Edge Triggering, is responsible for establishing fundamentally new connections. To illustrate, Professor Lator drew parallels to music listening habits, where repetitive listening to a song or sequencing tracks in a playlist increases the likelihood of repeating the same sequence. However, each new