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Why we travel
Summary
This article explores why people travel, suggesting that it is not just for pleasure, but also serves a useful purpose in allowing people to think more creatively. It uses examples to explain how distance and difference can be a 'tonic of creativity', allowing people to gain perspective on their problems and come up with solutions they couldn't have thought of before. It also explains how experiencing other cultures can help people become more open-minded and less insular, and how this can lead to increased creativity.
Q&As
What is the purpose of travel?
The purpose of travel is to experience the thrill of being someplace new, to put some distance between ourselves and everything we know, and to take a break from work and stress.
How does travelling help with creative thinking?
Travelling helps with creative thinking by allowing us to switch our physical locations with surreal ease, which helps us to think about things from a different perspective. It also helps us to become more open-minded and to consider a wider range of alternatives.
What is the effect of travelling on the brain?
Travelling affects the brain by loosening the chains of cognition, making it easier to see something new in the old. It also endows us with a valuable open-mindedness, making it easier to realise that a single thing can have multiple meanings.
What are the benefits of travelling to different cultures?
The benefits of travelling to different cultures include gaining a better understanding of different cultures and traditions, becoming more open-minded, and being able to think more creatively.
How does travel affect our thoughts about home when we return?
Travel affects our thoughts about home when we return by reminding us of all that we don't know, which can help us to appreciate home more.
AI Comments
👍 This article is filled with insightful observations about the benefits of travelling to stimulate creativity and foster a sense of openness. It provides an interesting perspective on the potential benefits of travelling beyond what is traditionally associated with it.
👎 This article fails to provide any meaningful analysis of the drawbacks and challenges of travelling, instead presenting a one-sided account of the experience without exploring any potential negative aspects.
AI Discussion
Me: It's called "Why We Travel" by Jonah Lehrer and it talks about the mental benefits of travel and how it can increase creativity, open-mindedness, and help us solve problems.
Friend: That's really interesting. I hadn't considered the mental benefits of travel, but it makes sense.
Me: Yeah, it's an interesting idea. The article talks about how being in a different culture can help us to become more open-minded and creative, and how distance can help us look at problems from a different perspective. It also talks about how travelling can help us break away from our usual habits and routines and thus help us to be more creative.
Action items
- Research different cultures and their customs to gain a better understanding of the world.
- Plan a trip to a place you have never been before to experience the disorienting diversity of human traditions.
- Reflect on the problems you left behind at home and use the time away to come up with creative solutions.
Technical terms
- Alarm Clock
- A device used to wake someone up at a certain time.
- Taxi
- A vehicle for hire with a driver, used to transport passengers.
- Metal Detector
- A device used to detect the presence of metal.
- McGriddle Sandwich
- A breakfast sandwich sold by the fast-food chain McDonald's.
- Incandescence
- The emission of light from a hot body.
- Tarmac
- A hard surface used for aircraft to take off and land on.
- Analogue Handshake
- A physical meeting between two people.
- Globalisation
- The process of increasing the interconnectedness of the world's economies, cultures, and societies.
- Jet Fuel
- A type of fuel used in jet engines.
- Chicken McNuggets
- A type of chicken product sold by McDonald's.
- Visceral Thrill
- An intense emotional reaction.
- Daiquiri
- A type of cocktail made with rum, lime juice, and sugar.
- Souvenirs
- Items purchased as a reminder of a place visited.
- Non-Negotiable
- Not able to be changed or compromised.
- X-Ray Screening
- A process of examining objects using X-rays.
- Punchline
- The part of a joke or story that reveals the humorous or unexpected conclusion.
- Banal
- Lacking originality or freshness; dull.
- Cruising Speed
- The speed at which an aircraft can travel for an extended period of time.
- Upper Troposphere
- The highest layer of the Earth's atmosphere.
- Sober
- Not under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- McGriddle Sandwich
- A breakfast sandwich sold by the fast-food chain McDonald's.
- Incandescence
- The emission of light from a hot body.
- Tarmac
- A hard surface used for aircraft to take off and land on.
- Analogue Handshake
- A physical meeting between two people.
- Globalisation
- The process of increasing the interconnectedness of the world's economies, cultures, and societies.
- Jet Fuel
- A type of fuel used in jet engines.
- Chicken McNuggets
- A type of chicken product sold by McDonald's.
- Visceral Thrill
- An intense emotional reaction.
- Daiquiri
- A type of cocktail made with rum, lime juice, and sugar.
- Souvenirs
- Items purchased as a reminder of a place visited.
- Non-Negotiable
- Not able to