MESSAGE FOR WEEK BEGINNING 19th November 2001

The Wrong Answer Quiz

This concept was first suggested by Rasmee Tanyatorn at a creativity workshop in Malta. By way of a provocative reversal she suggested a quiz in which the wrong answer would be given.

From this provocation I developed the following idea. The wrong answer would be given. Then a third party, or a panel, would have to make sense of the wrong answer.

Question: Who would make the best politicians?

Answer: Milkmen.

Making sense: reliable service and dependable. Serve everyone irrespective of income. Operate out of sight and do not expect thanks.

This could also be a game. Two packs of cards. One pack has 'serious' professions. The other pack has hobbies, activities and more ordinary professions. You pick a card from each pack. Then you have to show why the second card (randomly picked) actually makes sense in providing the attributes for the 'serious' profession.

Edward de Bono nmt
18th November 2001
London