Ask HN: Can you hear other people or music while programming?

2 points·2bitlobster··5 comments

I was just curious if anyone else has this same experience: while programming or doing anything highly analytical, my mind blocks out all sound - I don't hear conversations or music. However, while engaged with visually creative tasks such as design or art, it is almost like a second brain and I can hear conversations/music and can multitask with audio easily.

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You're basically using two different sides of your brain.

The analytical brain needs to juggle complex things, with a stack of size max approx 7, after which most humans struggle.

On the other side, the creative side of the brain can "think" as it works and often talks to itself, listen to conversation, as the motor side of the brain takes more power than the problem solving side.

Music can help either sides, to a certain point. E.g. in a loud and annoying open office, music can help zone out. However, in a quiet home, music can become more of a distraction than helping focus.

YMMV, this is based on my personal experience of 20+ years.

"Music can help either sides" - I just don't hear music at all when programming, it doesn't effect my output.

I work better with metal, hard rock or trance. As long as its uplifting/fast im more efficient and i get into kind of trance (call it flow if you like it). I cant do the same with people talking. I hear them and it annoys me :D

This is called concentration. I, just like you, block any external irritants when I program.

Not just concentration, I concentrate for art/design tasks as well, but I can still process audio while doing those things.

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