My wife is taking a course in brainstorming, she told me today. And I’m sure it will be useful. I once took a course in brainstorming and it helped a lot.
But I couldn’t help thinking that sometimes creativity doesn’t need a group or a storm. It doesn’t need a process or a method. All it takes is a cat or a cigar.
I ran across this paragraph from the Wikipedia entry for Reginald Fessenden (1866-1932), a Canadian inventor and personal hero. (Fessenden is famous for having applied to work with Edison, remarking, “Do not know anything about electricity, but can learn pretty quick.” Edison replied, “Have enough men now who do not know about electricity.”)
We can’t organize or manage ideas. We can’t regiment creativity. But as innovation becomes increasing the first business of business, and the way we hope to survive a turbulent world, we are inclined to force the issue.
Cigars have gone out of fashion. But are we spending enough time with a cat on our chests?