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?

Big Quantum Bio Meeting featuring Google's Hartmut Neven exceptionally MOVED to Tue, Feb 14, 7am PST in the same zoom room, 617 710 5261!

Hartmut will talk about: Google's hardware efforts towards building a quantum computer + progress on some flavors of quantum computing algorithm + deep questions about how physics intersects with biology, e.g., quantum resources in biology as related to neurological processes.

Exciting! Come learn about #QuantumBiology