Review by J. Reich
Cracking Creativity was the first book I read, and reviewed from Michael Michalko, and what a book! Thinkertoys is Michael's
first book and my second read. I also own Thinkpack, a creative card deck. All spectacular!
In general, I would say that Thinkertoys is similar to Cracking Creativity, but Thinkertoys offers varied and many different
creative techniques, "business creativity for the 90's." Michael explores artists, scientists, and numerous other creative
thinkers to which seems the basis of his work. It's amazing the amount of material that was put into this book. Numerous quotes
by Sun Tzu, there are also numerous diagrams and puzzles throughout this book. These mindbenders always seem to be related
to the chapter, or the discussion at the time. These drawings, puzzles, and brainteasers really convey the message of what
this whole book is about. That is what I like about this book is because it shows you, and you have to figure some things
out.
The book is set up into 4 different parts. Part One: Linear Thinkertoys, Part Two: Intuitive Thinkertoys, Part three: Group
Thinkertoys, Part Four: Endtoys. And in these areas there are numerous techniques, storylines, brainteasers, and flaming hot
ideas. It's not hard to try most of the techniques. Most of them merely require a pencil, a piece of paper, a problem or an
idea. Michael gives a "Blueprint" (i.e. summary) of every major technique that he covers in the chapters.
I have read other creativity books but Thinkertoys is very exceptional because it seems to me to be more proactive, I see
the techniques and I immediately want to try them for myself. Thinkertoys is not just some dry language with endless paragraphs
of explanation, as with some creativity books I have read. None of these other books will be mentioned here.
As I have used many of the techniques, I personally like SCAMPER. In addition, I also use "6 Questions" with SCAMPER, and
I also use "In what ways might I?" I have set it up and I use like this: For example, I use SCAMPER first on a problem. If
I'm stuck on SCAMPER, or the problem, I move to the "6 Questions." If I am still stuck, I then move and use "In what ways
might I?" They are all interchangeable, and can be moved or reversed. See,
SCAMPER > 6 Questions > "In what ways might I?"
A powerful combination: SCAMPER
S = Substitute?
C = Create?
A = Add?
M = Modify
P = Put to other uses?
E
= Eliminate?
R = Rearrange or Reverse?
6 Questions
Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?
In what ways might I?
This is my own little way to use some of the techniques. There is a large amount of techniques in Thinkertoys and some
critical analysis may be in order when reading this book for deciding on which techniques to use. Simply, I use what I like
most.
Michael Michalko was interviewed one time and asked about the vast amount of techniques available, his response was: "What's
important, I feel, is that readers and clients should not try to memorize specific techniques; rather, they should try to
remember the basic principles around which my work in creativity is structured." He also responded, and in essence, I think
this comment covers Thinkertoys in general, Michael also said: "Once the basic principles are understood, I always encourage
my clients to invent their own creative-thinking techniques."
After using quite a few of the techniques in Michael's two books, I have found some of the techniques becoming easier and
reflexive. I have found myself seeing ideas and problems very differently without even concentrating on them; also, I have
come up with my own ways to use some of techniques.
This book is a special find. Period.
