CREATIVE THINKING SEMINARDepartment of General StudiesDr Huda Hilal

UNDERSTANDING THE NATURE AND LOGIC OF LATERAL THINKINGThis book doesnt concern with the skills of artistic creativity, but specifically with creative skills needed to change concepts and perceptions. My preference is to look directly at the behavior of self organizing information systems. (patterning systems). By using this systems in analyzing behavior, we can get clear idea about creativity, and how does it work. And how we can devise techniques to increase the possibility of new ideas. Then we can see the logic of creativity. Understanding the logic of creativity, make us aware of the necessity for creativity.

UNDERSTANDING THE NATURE AND LOGIC OF LATERAL THINKINGHumor indicates better than any other mental behavior the nature of the information system the gives rise to perception, this is the self-organizing information system. And it shows also how perceptions set up in one way, can be reconfigured in another way. This is the essence of creativity.We need to distinguish two broad types of information system:Passive system; the information and the information recording surface are passive. All activity comes from external organizer.Active system; the information and the surface are active (self-organizing).A good example; rain falling interacting with the landscape forms channel, which affect the way future rain is organized.

UNDERSTANDING THE NATURE AND LOGIC OF LATERAL THINKINGThere are many books about how simple nerve networks can allow information to organize itself in patterns, these patterns are very useful, because it allow us to recognize things.Whenever we look at the world we see only in the terms of our existing patterns. This is also why the analysis of information will not yield new ideas, the brain can only see what it is prepared to see. We can only pick out the idea we already have.Pattern-forming and pattern-using behavior of the neural networks of the brain is magnificent, perception is the process of setting up and using.What happens if there is a side track? Do we have to stop to consider every side track?Now, we go along with full confident, if we were to enter the side track from another point, then we could follow the side track to the starting point. This is the classic asymmetry of patterns, which gives rise to humor and creativity.

UNDERSTANDING THE NATURE AND LOGIC OF LATERAL THINKINGIf somehow manage to cross over from main track to side track, then we get the starting point, and our creative insight. How to do it?There are methods to increase our chances in getting side track, this is the basis of lateral thinking, lateral: it refers to moving sideways across patterns. Using the same model we can see why every valuable creative idea must be logical in hindsight. valuable means: logical in hindsight.The brain is a wonderful device for allowing incoming information to organize itself into patterns. Once these patterns are formed with their broad catchment area, we use those patterns in the process known as perception. The patterns are not symmetric, this lack of symmetry gives rise both to humor and to creativity. The logical need for creativity: is the logic of self-organizing patterning systems.

PROVOCATION & MOVEMENT

Training in the Seminar of July 2012

Main track Side TrackprovocationHow do we get across from the main track to the sidetrack, this is where systematic provocation methods of lateral thinking come in

PROVOCATIONThe best definition of provocation is that: There may not be a reason for saying something until after it has been said. Einstein used to carry out thought experiment, f x: what would I see if I were traveling at the speed of light. Provocation is similar thought.Many important ideas came through chance or madness, & have a sort of discontinuity that forced us outside reasonableness of our experience. with deliberate provocation we can produce the same effects.Provocation is fundamental aspect of lateral thinking, & creativity.

PROVOCATIONThat is a provocation, the word PO is derived form such words: hypothesis, suppose, possible, poetry. All these words describe the forward use of an idea. The word PO stands for provocative operation.The problem is river pollution by factories sited along the river. The statement PO the factory should be downstream of itself, is illogical at first sight. But it leads to the suggestion that legislation should insist that the factorys input would be downstream of its own output, so it would be the first to suffer from failure to clean up. PO, cars should have square wheels.PO, planes should land upside down.PO, letters should be closed after posted

PROVOCATIONTwo stage processThe first stage: setting up of the provocation.The second stage: the use of the provocation to move forward to a useful new idea.The sequence has to be:1. choosing the creative focus.2. setting up the provocation.3. using the provocation.Using provocation involves a special mental operation called movement, when we learn movement we can proceed the method of setting up provocation. .

PROVOCATIONIndicator: Po (provocative operation) There are two methods of setting up provocation.1. The escape method.2. The stepping-stone method.

PROVOCATION1.The escape methodThe first step: spelling out something we take for granted The next step: to escape from what we have taken for granted. Ex; we take for granted that restaurants have food. Provocation: PO, restaurants do not have food.

PROVOCATION2.The stepping-stone method: To carry out some mechanical operation on some thing that exists. Visualize that on a walk you come to a stream you have to cross, the first step is to pick up a large stone & throw it into the middle, the second step to use the stepping-stone to get across. You should make sure you do not use the escape but reversal provocationThey are four methods; Reversal, Exaggeration, Distortion, Wishful thinking.

PROVOCATIONReversalIt is a relationship between 2 objects, 2 parties or 2 people.E.g. Lecturer teaches studentPo, student teaches lecturerPatient goes to clinicPo, clinic goes to patient

PROVOCATIONEXAGGERATION:You exaggeration increase and decreaseYou are dealing with numbers, dimension and figuresDont reach the zero (0) because when become zero it means the Escape methodRadios have 15 stationsPo, Radios should have 500 stationsPo, Radios should have 1 stationClassrooms have 2 doorsPo, classrooms should have 10 doorsPo, classrooms should have 1 door

PROVOCATIONDISTORTIONTheres a certain arrangement, procedures and stepsYou distort the arrangement, procedures and stepsOne way to do it, you use after and beforePo, you take the medicine before you see the doctorPo, you drink the juice before you open the canPo, you drive the car before you start itPo, you attend the class before you register it

PROVOCATIONWISHFUL THINKING

Dreaming, fantasy and imaginationIt is impossible to be doneWish has to be impossibleI wish I can flyI wish I can have a pen that can write itselfI wish there are 48 hours a dayI wish everyday is holidayI wish I remain 17 years old

MOVEMENTMovement: is the central to creativity, It is impossible to be creative without having some skills at movement.When the information come to the mind, the brain allows it to be organized in patterns, perception is the original formation & subsequent use of the patterns, it recognizes & monitor, here judgment comes in.The difference between judgment & movement is that: in judgment we reject the idea that doesnt fit our existing patterns, in movement; we are not interested in whether the idea fits or not, we are interested solely in where we can move from the idea. We seek to move forward.

MOVEMENTThe use of movementAt this moment, we are considering the use of movement in order to move forward from a provocation to a useful new idea, without movement there is no sense in using provocation.The general sense of movement means the willingness to move forward in a positive exploring way rather than stopping to judge whether something is right or wrong.The general attitude of movement is important, someone says something, one person judges whether it is wrong or right, anther person is interested in what statement leads to. The first is wearing the black hat , the other is wearing the green hat.

MOVEMENTThere are two broad ways of using movement; general attitude & systematic techniques.General Attitude: the general willingness to move forward from a statement or provocation.Systematic Techniques: there are five systematic techniques for getting movement from a provocation or statement.

MOVEMENTwe are not interested in whether the idea fits or not, we are interested only in where we can move from the idea. We seek to move forward.there are five systematic techniques for getting movement from a provocation or statement.1. Extract a principle, 2.Focus on the difference, 3.Moment to moment, 4.Positive aspects, 5. Circumstances.

Movement is fluid & concerned with: to, where does this lead to, it is a pan of water logic with its flow & fluidity, it comes under the green hat

MOVEMENT1. Extract a principle: you take something from the provocation, & ignore the rest, then proceed to work with what you have extracted, you seek to build an idea around this principle.Ex: An advertising agency was seeking a new advertising medium. A provocation was suggested; PO, bring back the town crier.The town crier can go to where the people are. (reachable, removable) The town crier can change the message according to the audience.(controllable) - The town crier can answer questions (active)You cannot switch the town crier off (persistent, continual).

MOVEMENTWe choose the last one (persistent, continual). so now you forget all about the town crier, & look around for a medium that would not be able to turn off. The idea or movement would be to have public telephones that made no charge for a call, advertisers will pay for these messages, & the caller will get free messages, & free calls.

MOVEMENTExtract a principle EXAMPLES:PO, I wish I have wings so I can reach my work or classes on time.PO, I wish I can give charity to all poor people around the world.PO, I Wish I can open a center that can accommodate all the orphans. PO, bring back the mosque meetings for memorizing Quran.

MOVEMENT2.Focus on the difference: here the provocation is compared with the existing idea of doing things, the points of difference are spelled out, & pursued to see if they might lead to interesting new ideas Provocation: PO, stamps should be long & very thin. The difference of long dimension The length of the stamp might be proportional to the value of the stamp. This suggests that a unit of length might represent a unit of value on the stamp, Movement: so no need to put a value on the stamp.

MOVEMENTPO, The Islamic classes in UIA should be comprehensive.1. What is the differences between UIA & ordinary university? Teaching Islamic ethics, Fiqh, Aqudah, Quran2. This leads to the idea that every Islamic university teaches these subjects.3. the movement is that: no need to clarify the Islamic subjects when you are going to do advertisement, it is known by the title.

MOVEMENT3.Moment to moment: We imagine the provocation being put into practice, we visualize what is happening, moment to moment, it is like watching a videotape.Provocation: PO, cars have square wheels.We imagine the car starting to roll, the square wheel rises up, which leads to bumpy ride, now the suspension anticipates & adjusts, this leads to the concept of adjusting suspension, this in turn leads to the idea of a vehicle going on rough ground. Movement: This leads to the idea of intelligent suspension, today several companies such as (GM) is using this system.

MOVEMENTProvocation: PO, I wish every student at UIA is a cleric. 1. We imagine every student teaching Islam to people here and there, abhorring people to do good and refrain from bad.2. Movement is that: we come to the idea of training UIA students to become Dayia.

MOVEMENT4. Positive aspects: The simplest of the movement techniques, it is yellow hat, we look directly to any benefit in the provocation, what values are immediately present? We are interested in what is directly present rather than what the provocation might lead to. We take this value & move forward to new ideas. Provocation: PO, cars should have their engines on the roof. The positive aspect: equal weight distribution on both axles. More space in the car .Movement: From this might come the idea of a shorter mid engine car, with passengers sitting above the engine platform.

MOVEMENT4. Positive aspects:Examples:PO, restaurants do not charge for food, but for time. PO, universities provide classes inside mahalah.PO, parents do not give money to their children who are studying in universities.PO, the telephone rings all the time & falls silent when there is a call.

MOVEMENT5.Circumstances: under what circumstances would this provocation have a direct value? In flooded conditions, a car with the engine on roof would have a direct value, because it would be possible to drive in deeper water without affecting the engine. :Provocation: PO, drinking glasses should have rounded bottoms. Under what circumstances would rounded bottoms have a direct value? You could not put down the glass until you finish. So the bar can sell more drink.

MOVEMENTCircumstances:Examples:Under what circumstances these PO would work?PO, All countries should practice Islamic banking.PO, classes should be set up in mahalah.PO, all restaurants should provide halal food.PO, restaurants do not charge for food but for time.

EXERCISEQuestion two: (20 marks):Use provocation skills to come up with 5 illogical ideas related to the following: Enhancing the religious education in Malaysian universities.Choose one idea of PO, and use movement skills to generate five logical ideas. Question Three: (20 marks):Use provocation skills to come up with 5 illogical ideas related to the following: Support the issues of Muslims in the poor areas. Choose one idea of PO, and use movement skills to generate five logical ideas.

EXERCISEQuestion Four: (20 marks):Use provocation skills to come up with 5 illogical ideas related to the following: spreading the Islamic message in non-Muslim world.Choose one idea of PO, and use movement skills to generate five logical ideas. Question Five: (20 marks). Use provocation skills to come up with 5 illogical ideas related to the following: Enhancing Halal food restaurants in non-Muslim countries.Choose one idea of PO, and use movement skills to generate five logical ideas.

EXERCISEQuestion six: (20 marks):Use provocation skills to come up with 5 illogical ideas related to the following: rescuing the poor in a broken economic world. Choose one idea of PO, and use movement skills to generate five logical ideas. Question seven: (20 marks):Use provocation skills to come up with 5 illogical ideas related to the following: protecting the environment in a polluted world. Choose one idea of PO, and use movement skills to generate five logical ideas.

PROJECTQuestion Four: (20Marks)Use Provocation skills to come up with at least 3 illogical ideas related to the following: Reviving the Islamic spirit in a complicated and challenging world.Choose one idea from PO, and use movement skills to generate three logical ideas, then choose one promising idea and shape it to become; useful, workable, practical, interesting and acceptable.