<\/p>\n
Programmers who have passed through their larval stage<\/a>, talk knowingly about “The Zone” – a sustained period of focussed attention on a problem. The upside is a remarkably high-level of productivity. The downside is a loss of awareness of time, tiredness and hunger – and a general unpredictability about whether you will find the way into the zone and what inevitable distraction will bring you out again.<\/p>\n Of course, it is not limited to programmers – it is experienced by many people attempting endeavours that require focus, from artists to artisans, athletes to aesthetes. Some refer to it as pschological state<\/a>, others link it to spiritualism and mysticism.<\/p>\n I have been noticing an odd phenomenon when I am in the zone; I am interested if it is just me, or others notice the same thing.<\/p>\n Occasionally, while I am deep in the zone, a random memory flashes in my mind.<\/p>\n It’s not a case of “Oh, this reminds me of the time…” – the memory is totally unrelated to the work I am doing, or the thoughts I was having.<\/p>\n It’s not a case of d\u00c3\u00a9j\u00c3\u00a0 vu – I don’t feel like I am reliving it.<\/p>\n It’s not a case of a flashback to some emotional situation – the memory is often mundane, and something I haven’t thought about for a while. That time I bought a pair of shoes. That strip of off-coloured carpet at the place I rented 9 years ago. Nothing special.<\/p>\n