Idea generation methods

October 25, 2005 11:44 AM

All known idea generation methods.
posted by signal (13 comments total)

I like that implementing the "Bunch of Bananas" means basically being an unhelpful jerk: "Stop trying so hard to save this company from bankruptcy; what we really need is three mimes in a cage match!"
posted by jenovus at 12:09 PM on October 25, 2005

This reminds me of one of those corporate bonding retreats I was sent on a few years back whilst working for a large, evil corporation. They put us in groups and had us build cars out of erector set-type things, lots of white boards and dry erase markers, etc, etc. Everyone thought it was a huge waste of time. Yet somehow, I find some of these exercises interesting, and might try one next time I need to come up with a Big Idea.
posted by slogger at 12:36 PM on October 25, 2005

Vision Quest?!
I will suggest this next time I'm in a meeting and no one can come up with any ideas.
posted by goatfish at 12:40 PM on October 25, 2005

This is cool; thanks, signal!
posted by ZenMasterThis at 12:42 PM on October 25, 2005

All known? It doesn't make that claim. Creative dissatisfaction isn't there. Great resource, though, thanks.
posted by nthdegx at 1:02 PM on October 25, 2005

All known? It doesn't make that claim. 'Fraid it does (see title). I found it somewhat irritating and biased towards airy-fairy (e.g. "The least useful - but perhaps most commonly asked question - is "Why?". Use it with great care - the reply will usually be a reflection of the person's beliefs, justifications and interpretations.")
posted by QuietDesperation at 1:22 PM on October 25, 2005

FWIW, I find it a bit to management-speak-ish, but think that reading through it might be an idea generation method in itself.
posted by signal at 1:56 PM on October 25, 2005

Me? I just use my handy Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation device. Shiny.
posted by effwerd at 2:29 PM on October 25, 2005

What about Oblique Strategies?
posted by koeselitz at 2:50 PM on October 25, 2005

My bad. All known? It doesn't make that claim. Creative dissatisfaction isn't there. Great resource, though, thanks.
posted by nthdegx at 2:54 PM on October 25, 2005

Some of these idea ideas may be too far out for some situations, but I still think this will be a useful link. So, Thanks!

In some cases, the big boss pulling out a clipboard and starting to detail the steps needed for the 5 Rhythms Method might be a great start:

... freeing the body [snip] the landscapes of releasing the heart [snip] ceremony [mercy snip] freeing the mind and soul retrieval [snip] and finally You'll -snip- thank me] Stillness, to arrive at [last snip] The Silver Desert, or the home of the spirit.

I know rather a few office gnomes who, faced with that list, would become quickly quite brilliant.
posted by mmahaffie at 4:41 PM on October 25, 2005

koeselitz: Oblique Strategies.
posted by Eideteker at 9:21 PM on October 25, 2005

When this integration of mind, body and spirit has been accomplished, participants become something very much like compost

Bullshit.
posted by ook at 10:17 PM on October 25, 2005