The British illustrator Quentin Blake is well-known for his work with Roald Dahl. In honor of his literary and artistic contributions, he was named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire and served as president of the Association of Illustrators.

In one interview, Blake related a story about how listening to the radio makes it hard for him to work. He claims that he finds it difficult to concentrate on his illustrations because the radio either diverts him or engages him excessively. The background noise may cause him to become irritated and distracted if he doesn't like what is being played. However, he has a tendency to get carried away and end up listening instead of working if he finds the program enjoyable.

This observation illustrates how our environment can have a big influence on our capacity to focus on tasks that demand our full attention. When you try to read a book while cooking, you may find that the sounds and smells in the kitchen distract you too much, or you may become so focused on cooking that you completely forget to read.

Blake's understanding of how background noise affects his creative process gives us an idea of how various settings can either help or hurt our ability to be productive. It serves as a reminder that everyone has different needs and preferences when it comes to working, whether that be in a busy café with background noise or a quiet room for intense concentration.