[jdlegg]

I often see startups and software development referred to as "creative professions." But the industry is lousy at practicing habits based on knowledge of creativity from psychology.

Take the four stages of creativity, for example: preparation, incubation, illumination, and verification. Work habits like those discussed here all but destroy any potential for unconscious incubation of creative solutions.

Another oddity about this industry: perks like ping-pong tables, free food, and Rock Band tournaments. These seem to be attempts to lessen the psychological load, with the ulterior motive of getting longer hours from workers. If you believe in the psychological theories of creativity, such benefits should have no great effect.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incubation_(psychology)