MESSAGE FOR WEEK BEGINNING 22nd October 2002

Bibliographies From time to time people ask why I do not have long lists of references at the end of my books. The simple reason is that the ideas and thinking are my own. My books are not a scholarly review of work in the field. Such reviews are valuable, but that is not my style. I set out to design new processes based on an understanding of how self-organising systems work. One very eminent scientist once told me that I should nevertheless 'fake' such bibliographies by putting in lists of references which I had never actually read. He said: "This is what people expect and you have to play the game.". His point is very reasonable - and sensible. But I cannot go along with it. The emphasis on 'scholarship' for credibility is valid in certain areas but seriously restricts creativity in other areas. To know only what others have thought may leave little room for new thought.

Edward de Bono nmt
21st October 2002
London