The flow is another word for grace or chi or prana. Many cultures use a different word for the same thing: that flow of energy that sustains our being. Without that energy flow, nothing would exist. We are always in that flow and at the unconscious (spiritual) level we always know it. The times you write about are when you become aware of it and can sense it physically and emotionally. From my perspective, that flow is God's unconditional love. But others have different names and that's fine by me. Peeling away all the self-imposed junk that keeps me from consciously reveling in the flow every minute of my life has been my life's focus. Go with the flow, or vaya con Dios. Same thing.
Nikos Kazantzakis was heavily influenced by Henri Bergson. The narrator in Zorba the Greek is impressed by Zorba's ability to get lost in the flow of work, playing the santouri and enjoying life's simple pleasures. We can all learn from Zorba. And he had no apps.
Video games beg to be scrutinized in this context. They combine a lot of the aspects from all the sources of flow outlined in the piece but video games are heavily monetized and they relentlessly resist disengagement. This is why I think there’s potential in their development for both incredible benefits and harms.
Turning 77 this March, I realize that I have been very blessed.
I have two degrees in electrical engineering but have been programming for money since 1967.
With rare exceptions, my "work" over the years has consistently amazed me in that I actually got paid to do it (generally hardware adjacent technical software , simulation, design representation, etc.). I was also able to escape the two times I wandered into a bad situation but that only comprised about 3 years total out of a 50+ year career.
My civil engineer father used to tell me all the time that he simply did not understand what I did for a living. I used to say he was a CIVIL engineer so I must be a RUDE one! His work was far more concrete than mine. You might say he had to steel himself to go to work at times. His rather weird specialty was the side forces generated by a pile of grain, typically rice.
Anyway... when in a big programming project, I have always had to get into a zone - which I think is what you mean by flow. On rare occasions I have managed to get there while playing music. I remember having a reaction of "Who is doing that?" when hearing myself play. Fascinating.
Meanwhile, in spite of my (CPA) wife of over 40 years dying (complications of dementia) in 2023, I remain remarkably cheerful.
I only have one engineering degree but have been programming off and on since 1981.
With rare exceptions, my "work" over the years has consistently amazed me in that I actually got paid to do it (generally hardware adjacent technical software , simulation, design representation, etc.). I was also able to escape the one time I wandered into a bad situation but that only comprised about one year total out of a 35+ year career.
My electrical engineer father did not chant ohm but he got a charge out of work.
Anyway, during a programming project I often got into a zone - which I think is what you meant by flow. On rare occasions I have managed to get there while playing music.
Congratulations on your cheerfulness. I am attempting to remain so.
You are very fortunate (I remain remarkably cheerful ). My wonderful wife of 35 years passed away approx 3 years ago. After being a musician /recording/vocalist /Commercial & Fine Artist among other things for over 50 years - I can only say - since my wife's passing I have lost my Mojo ,& have not been able to get it back. Playing music has always been something that has gotten me through many difficulties in life.
In defense of the STEM people, computer programmers often experience flow. I'm speaking from experience. And tech companies have been exploiting this for decades. Programmers experiencing flow will happily pull all nighters and work through weekends. The bosses don't even have to ask.
Absolutely true. Especially when you've gone through a process of say, redesigning a chunk of the system. The taking apart of the code and putting it all back together really does put you in a flow state. I very seldom pulled all-nighters though, especially as I got older and realized that in the end it would actually slow you down.
Retired now, and painting puts me in this state...without the aching wrists. Ha.
Yeah someone described the programmer flow state as a toxic positivity, seemed accurate on multiple levels, maybe because it's so goal oriented and our goals are so often escaping our day jobs, lol.
Writing can get us into this flow state too. It's the creative flow response to any inner conversation with your creative genius. Thank you for a great article, Ted. And the new word Appistocracy. 💗🙏
The key insight here is that the truly healthy flow-inducing activities can't be monetized, and are, therefore, becoming acts of rebellion in our culture.
Somewhere in this direction is something interesting though. Trumpet is my first instrument, which I've experienced the flow state of improvisation with, programming my vocation which I've had flow state with, and music production and recording using computer software is the frustrating and awkward child in between. I want more flow state with this awkward child so I can create compositions more naturally, beyond the trumpet solo.
For me, I don't focus on where flow goes, where it is, or who is taking over it. I practice to harness it. I cultivate flow like a houseplant, you have to love it, water it, and even talk to it. I could give many other examples, but the real question is: how can we harness or grow flow or keep in the flow?
For me, it works through fasting and eating the right foods, as well as exercise, body movement, reading, hiking, swimming, and many other activities. I’ve noticed that in order to sustain, keep, or harness flow, I need to practice things that naturally contain flow.
I believe that flow is forever, it’s never truly gone. It’s always there, waiting for you to tap into it.
I love this! Cool pics. When I was a child, it was the uneven bars. Even the ritual of putting on my grips had me "locked in". I liked beam & floor too, hated vault, but I felt like nothing could touch me on the uneven bars. I was very shy & quiet, but not in this sport. I competed with USAG for nearly 11 years and I often joke that the first thing I want to do in heaven when I die is feel like I did on the uneven bars again :)
Singing freely in my music room with my headphones, DAW open, and ideas even more open--these are all bliss states for me. Typing this out makes me realize I need to create more time for these activities. Thank you for the inspiration.
I’m a jazz and blues musician who is also a poet. I met your brother fifteen years ago when I took a workshop with him. The first poem of mine he read was about Jimmy Cobb. This recent poem about my days as a traveling musician, which was published in Brilliant Corners, describes the flow state above that of playing itself in detail (though I call it the Stream).
“The dominance of STEM-thinking has left so many of us hollow inside. In a world of intense rationality and digitization, people’s inner lives are gradually destroyed. They are hungry for something deeper, holistic, and more vital than data manipulation can deliver.”
I've been listening to Stolen Focus by Johann Hari and he touches on this exact point! When you look back on your life, your strongest memories may be of the flow state. How many people can say they do something they're truly passionate about every day of their lives? Those people will be the happiest looking back.
Erik Hoel published an essay today about the impact of AI on cognitive function and put it in terms of Bloom's taxonomy of critical thinking. It seems that "flow" is the essential state that raises the functioning level of each element of creativity. https://www.theintrinsicperspective.com/p/brain-drain
It's implicit in what you write, but to make another meaning of "conductor" explicit: it's the ability to carry/sustain an electrical current.
Great point. See my post (later than yours, not sure if that's 'up' or 'down' on your screen).
The flow is another word for grace or chi or prana. Many cultures use a different word for the same thing: that flow of energy that sustains our being. Without that energy flow, nothing would exist. We are always in that flow and at the unconscious (spiritual) level we always know it. The times you write about are when you become aware of it and can sense it physically and emotionally. From my perspective, that flow is God's unconditional love. But others have different names and that's fine by me. Peeling away all the self-imposed junk that keeps me from consciously reveling in the flow every minute of my life has been my life's focus. Go with the flow, or vaya con Dios. Same thing.
Nikos Kazantzakis was heavily influenced by Henri Bergson. The narrator in Zorba the Greek is impressed by Zorba's ability to get lost in the flow of work, playing the santouri and enjoying life's simple pleasures. We can all learn from Zorba. And he had no apps.
The entire novel is philosophy
So glad to read about the flow
I had an uncanny experience
A year or two ago
I would be writing my book
On Hegel and the American Revolution
And all of a sudden
Involuntarily
My sentences so hard fought
Would dissolve into
Poetry
I assured my daughter who worried
About my scholarship
That poetry was practice for the book
Now things have turned around
In the craziest
Flowest way
Where I can't tell the difference
And poetry
Flows into the book
book flow poetry flow
I stop myself from singing
Into the mic at substack
So flowingly embarrassing
and an affront to musical ears
Even if of interest
To psychiatry and deep politics
I find myself
Hailing once again
The traffic
In the final scene
Of the original
Invasion of the Body Snatchers
This is wonderful, thanks.
Enjoyed this so much. Thank you for getting into the flow just for our enjoyment.
You are welcome. It was news to me too. The flow thing.
I feel it reading your words. You’ve attained it - and teach it.
Thank you Patris, substack Diotima
How about the CrAppistocracy?
Avant garde theater has a curtain-raising homonym in Krapp's Last Tape!
https://www.escapeintolife.com/essays/krapp-last-tape-beckett/
(As blogs disappear b4 Wiki - here's a safer link\bet on cracking solipsism...:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krapp%27s_Last_Tape
Tio Mitchito
Mitch Ritter\Paradigm Sifters, Code Shifters, PsalmSong Chasers
Lay-Low Studios, Ore-Wa (Refuge of Atonement Seekers)
Media Discussion List\Looksee
Video games beg to be scrutinized in this context. They combine a lot of the aspects from all the sources of flow outlined in the piece but video games are heavily monetized and they relentlessly resist disengagement. This is why I think there’s potential in their development for both incredible benefits and harms.
I was going to comment this and recommend this book: https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262045506/against-flow/
Turning 77 this March, I realize that I have been very blessed.
I have two degrees in electrical engineering but have been programming for money since 1967.
With rare exceptions, my "work" over the years has consistently amazed me in that I actually got paid to do it (generally hardware adjacent technical software , simulation, design representation, etc.). I was also able to escape the two times I wandered into a bad situation but that only comprised about 3 years total out of a 50+ year career.
My civil engineer father used to tell me all the time that he simply did not understand what I did for a living. I used to say he was a CIVIL engineer so I must be a RUDE one! His work was far more concrete than mine. You might say he had to steel himself to go to work at times. His rather weird specialty was the side forces generated by a pile of grain, typically rice.
Anyway... when in a big programming project, I have always had to get into a zone - which I think is what you mean by flow. On rare occasions I have managed to get there while playing music. I remember having a reaction of "Who is doing that?" when hearing myself play. Fascinating.
Meanwhile, in spite of my (CPA) wife of over 40 years dying (complications of dementia) in 2023, I remain remarkably cheerful.
I realize that I have been very blessed.
I only have one engineering degree but have been programming off and on since 1981.
With rare exceptions, my "work" over the years has consistently amazed me in that I actually got paid to do it (generally hardware adjacent technical software , simulation, design representation, etc.). I was also able to escape the one time I wandered into a bad situation but that only comprised about one year total out of a 35+ year career.
My electrical engineer father did not chant ohm but he got a charge out of work.
Anyway, during a programming project I often got into a zone - which I think is what you meant by flow. On rare occasions I have managed to get there while playing music.
Congratulations on your cheerfulness. I am attempting to remain so.
Ctrl-C
Ctrl-V
😉
You are very fortunate (I remain remarkably cheerful ). My wonderful wife of 35 years passed away approx 3 years ago. After being a musician /recording/vocalist /Commercial & Fine Artist among other things for over 50 years - I can only say - since my wife's passing I have lost my Mojo ,& have not been able to get it back. Playing music has always been something that has gotten me through many difficulties in life.
I believed I would always have it but ...
In defense of the STEM people, computer programmers often experience flow. I'm speaking from experience. And tech companies have been exploiting this for decades. Programmers experiencing flow will happily pull all nighters and work through weekends. The bosses don't even have to ask.
Absolutely true. Especially when you've gone through a process of say, redesigning a chunk of the system. The taking apart of the code and putting it all back together really does put you in a flow state. I very seldom pulled all-nighters though, especially as I got older and realized that in the end it would actually slow you down.
Retired now, and painting puts me in this state...without the aching wrists. Ha.
Yeah someone described the programmer flow state as a toxic positivity, seemed accurate on multiple levels, maybe because it's so goal oriented and our goals are so often escaping our day jobs, lol.
Writing can get us into this flow state too. It's the creative flow response to any inner conversation with your creative genius. Thank you for a great article, Ted. And the new word Appistocracy. 💗🙏
The key insight here is that the truly healthy flow-inducing activities can't be monetized, and are, therefore, becoming acts of rebellion in our culture.
Somewhere in this direction is something interesting though. Trumpet is my first instrument, which I've experienced the flow state of improvisation with, programming my vocation which I've had flow state with, and music production and recording using computer software is the frustrating and awkward child in between. I want more flow state with this awkward child so I can create compositions more naturally, beyond the trumpet solo.
For me, I don't focus on where flow goes, where it is, or who is taking over it. I practice to harness it. I cultivate flow like a houseplant, you have to love it, water it, and even talk to it. I could give many other examples, but the real question is: how can we harness or grow flow or keep in the flow?
For me, it works through fasting and eating the right foods, as well as exercise, body movement, reading, hiking, swimming, and many other activities. I’ve noticed that in order to sustain, keep, or harness flow, I need to practice things that naturally contain flow.
I believe that flow is forever, it’s never truly gone. It’s always there, waiting for you to tap into it.
I love this! Cool pics. When I was a child, it was the uneven bars. Even the ritual of putting on my grips had me "locked in". I liked beam & floor too, hated vault, but I felt like nothing could touch me on the uneven bars. I was very shy & quiet, but not in this sport. I competed with USAG for nearly 11 years and I often joke that the first thing I want to do in heaven when I die is feel like I did on the uneven bars again :)
Singing freely in my music room with my headphones, DAW open, and ideas even more open--these are all bliss states for me. Typing this out makes me realize I need to create more time for these activities. Thank you for the inspiration.
I’m a jazz and blues musician who is also a poet. I met your brother fifteen years ago when I took a workshop with him. The first poem of mine he read was about Jimmy Cobb. This recent poem about my days as a traveling musician, which was published in Brilliant Corners, describes the flow state above that of playing itself in detail (though I call it the Stream).
The Stream
Once or twice a year, amid the endless
run of nightly gigs in different cities,
stunned to exhaustion by the all-night drives,
not sleeping on the bus, bad food, and carrying
equipment into clubs like stevedores,
we’d reach a point where we had energy
enough to play, but nothing else. The blur
in front of us onstage was audience,
unnoticed. All we did was make the notes
and listen to each other and ourselves.
On those rare occasions, always when
we were too tired to think, we caught a stream
that carried us as though in loving hands.
As though we had one mind, we played together
more completely then. It took no effort
like we were leaves, just falling from a tree.
The sound we made moved like an animal.
You didn’t feel that making a mistake
was even possible. It might last half an hour.
And when it finally broke down, everything
was flawed, and back to normal, and the world
was wrong again. Its troubles made you crazy;
you ran a gauntlet every day. You’d suffer it,
just for a chance to get back in the stream.
It took no effort / like we were leaves, just falling from a tree. / The sound we made moved like an animal.
Nice, Mr. Basile!
Thank you! This happened fifty years ago, and nothing in my experience since has duplicated the feeling.
“The dominance of STEM-thinking has left so many of us hollow inside. In a world of intense rationality and digitization, people’s inner lives are gradually destroyed. They are hungry for something deeper, holistic, and more vital than data manipulation can deliver.”
Amen. Hence the importance of making good art, not peddling crappy content: https://www.whitenoise.email/p/art-content
I've been listening to Stolen Focus by Johann Hari and he touches on this exact point! When you look back on your life, your strongest memories may be of the flow state. How many people can say they do something they're truly passionate about every day of their lives? Those people will be the happiest looking back.
Erik Hoel published an essay today about the impact of AI on cognitive function and put it in terms of Bloom's taxonomy of critical thinking. It seems that "flow" is the essential state that raises the functioning level of each element of creativity. https://www.theintrinsicperspective.com/p/brain-drain
Agree 100%. I have words to the same effect for my teenagers when they want to order food to be delivered.