On the "aha moment"

As a scientist, I've had the privilege to experience the big "aha" moment a handful of times. Each time, I was struggling to make sense of something and the "aha experience" happened the moment I figured it out. What's remarkable about those moments is how vividly I remember the details of the moment: the color of the paint on the walls; how the room was configured; if I was talking to someone else, exactly where they were sitting ...

I've had other equally compelling findings emerge from my research program that I did not experience in the same way, because the "aha" was figured out by someone else (like a PhD student) and later explained to me. I was as befuddled by those questions, as curious to know their answers and as excited to see those answers figured out! However, I did not experience them in the same way insofar as today I can tell you the answers but not much about the moment I first learned them.

I anticipate that this experience is something universal (and not unique to science). Eve Marder discusses it as something to be cherished (and I agree):
https://elifesciences.org/articles/80711

Does this description of the "aha moment" (also called "Eureka") resonate with you?

Living Science: Maintaining the joy of discovery

Changes in science over the past 50 years have reduced the chances of trainees experiencing the joy of discovery.

eLife
@NicoleCRust Absolutely.