Well, on the subject of neurofeedback, it might have some relevance to bring this study up: A theory of alpha/theta neurofeedback, creative performance enhancement, long distance functional connectivity and psychological integration.
We’d basically train our capacity to move in and out of the “daydreaming”, hypnogogic state. What the scientists found here seems to say that this form of neurofeedback enhanced creative performance not only in the artistic spheres of activity like dance, piano and singing, but also technical spheres like science (I think that was just something they posited rather than tested, but I wouldn’t be surprised). They attributed this partially to increased emotional stability and confidence and partially to the altered state of consciousness brought about by the modulation. Like all x-feedback training, after a while this phasing in/out would become second nature, and completely under our control, meaning that you wouldn’t necessarily be sacrificing one modality of thought for another modality.
Someone said that they usually get their best insights just when they wake up, as the rest of their brain is lagging behind. I think that’s pretty analogue to what’s happening (see hypnogogia), and neurofeedback would help people get into this state more often, at will. Sweet deal, methinks.
Note that there’s an Anti-Akrasia technique in here waiting to happen: If you can increase the delay of a rewarding but unproductive task that otherwise has no delay at all then you reduce your motivation to do it.
Internet browsing comes to mind. I think the XKCD author has done something to this effect (check out the comic’s comment here: http://xkcd.com/862/). To quip, he wrote a script that made his computer freeze for thirty seconds every time he opened unwanted material.