Hi, we're here from Curiosity.com to help you get smarter in just a few minutes.

I'm Cody Gough.

And I'm Ashley Hamer.

Today you learn about how debate can be good for brainstorms,

and a little rodent that can teach humans how to love.

You'll also learn about the surprising things you can find in libraries

with special guest and friend of the show, Alex Lent.

But satisfy some curiosity.

Research suggests you might be brainstorming wrong.

If you've ever taken an improv class like I have and like Ashley is going to...

What?

Then you've heard the phrase yes and. That's the idea that you say yes to whatever idea you just heard and then you build on it.

Well, this idea also shows up in the business world in brainstorming sessions where you may have learned

that there's no such thing as a bad idea. Sound familiar? Well after years of watching this

advice cycle through businesses both big and small

scientists have started to think it could use some revision.

For more than 15 years scientific research has actually shown that

dissent, debate, and competing views can spur creativity, not hinder it.

Positiveity is great, but criticism might be too.

Way back in 2004, researchers from UC Berkeley tested whether debate was good for creativity.

The team conducted studies with groups in both the United States and France, and they asked groups

of five to come up with ideas for how to reduce traffic

...