Brainstorm with Eric Maisel

Eric Maisel and wife Ann Maisel have collaborated on a self-help book with an intriguing twist: that the right kind of “productive” obsession is not only desirable but an essential feature of creativity. To lend credibility to their claim the Maisels reference research into consciousness that suggests the cerebral cortex contains dynamic cooperatives of neurons which may lay the foundation for “a productive obsession that is a large neuronal gestalt of long duration – a big idea that lasts a long time.” In answer to the criticism that any obsession might be dangerous, the Maisels acknowledge that this possibility hasn’t been thoroughly investigated but believe the gains outweigh any potential negatives. The process of nurturing productive obsessions, the authors believe, is at the heart of how we value life and find purpose. It goes beyond simple stimulation, neat ideas, or interesting hobbies. By “investing meaning,” in our ideas, we can move from mere interest to “the meaningfulness of authentic engagement.” All too often people overlook the basics of a productive life, distracted by multitasking, marketing, and information overload. With this provocative departure from the usual lifestyle manual, the Maisels are out to break us of those tendencies.