EDWARD DE BONO'S MESSAGE
2nd March 1997

Julia's Jokes & Feedback

The "Jokes for Julia" exercise was rather well done and I thank those who contributed. The steps that were used seemed to follow the model I suggested. There may be completely different models. (see Projects)

The steps:

1. THE SET UP: a jump forward obtained in at least two ways. By an associative push forward, for example a similar word sound. By a deliberate provocative leap.

2. THE LOGICAL LEAP: the arbitrary jump is now, in hindsight, linked back in some 'logical' way.

3. THE PULL IN: the force of the joke depends on pulling in some prejudices, feelings, complaints, or upsets at this point.

The better the joke the bigger the leap, the more obvious the hindsight logic and the stronger the pulled in emotions. For children the 'pull in' is probably less important than for adults.

If you continue to have good examples continue to send then in under the heading "Jokes for Julia" (see Creative Team). I shall present them to Julia when I next see her.

I shall set the next thinking challenge next week. The response to the "crime challenge" is slowly gathering momentum - possibly because it is a serious matter.

Meanwhile I should like to get some feedback from visitors, and especially Team members, on the following possibilities.

1. Setting up a showcase for ideas on the website. Team members can send in brief descriptions of ideas which are then put in a "showcase" with an appropriate e-mail, or other address or elect to be contacted through the website. Anyone interested in that idea can contact the owner directly or through a website 'postbox'. It may be that some people are reluctant to make their good ideas visible to everyone - hence the anonymity of a website postbox.

2. An idea "endorsement" service. Sometimes people are more willing to look at an idea if someone else endorsed it. It may be possible to offer such an endorsement service for ideas which are not too technical. There could be a charge for this. The endorsed ideas would partially subsidise those which had to be examined but did not merit endorsement.

3. An advertising platform for Professional Team Members. They would put together a short biography and indication of their expertise which would then be made visible to visitors to the site who could then contact them directly.

4. The possibility of running Creativity courses at different levels via the internet. Would it make sense if some introductory courses were free? Would it make sense if there was a charge for more advanced courses? (An educational/conferencing system will soon be installed)

In the future it will be possible to set up private discussion 'rooms'.

There is not too much point in offering services if there is no demand for them.

This week I want to acknowledge my younger brother, Peter, who has worked so hard and well to set up the website. His background is in the military (Sandhurst) and in the design of complex integrated computer systems. He is responsible for energising and keeping the site going. Thank you.

Edward de Bono
1st March 1997
Kuala Lumpur