thanks for your thoughtful response. i too have a gut feeling about that negative correlation, and i believe brain research suggests at the least that these two characteristics are distinct, and vary in individuals.

could it be that those "rare gems" that you mention--who are both analytical and "creative"--are greater in number than you think--maybe even the majority? for example, the pure-analytical types and the pure-creative types could be a very vocal minority. They stand to gain the most by being divisive.

i also read less for pleasure nowadays as i run my startup. funny that you should mention russian literature. that is my favorite. i will read kolyma tales next based on your recommendation. the last russian work i read was the master and margarita, which was unbelievable. i have my own theories about the russians' views on human nature, but that is not for this thread!