Customer Reviews

Cracking Creativity: The Secrets of Creative Genius

5 star:		(47)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

A book for inventors, craftsmen, artisans, scientists, businesses, teachers, and most of all us students.
Michael Michalko's book made many areas fall into place for me, not to mention assisting my individual creative landscape, exercising my field of study, and mobilizing my creative engine.

Over the past year, I have been heavily engaged in memory improvement. Busy in such areas as loci mnemonics, peg systems, hypnosis, and many other regions. Cracking Creativity showed how rigid my thinking had become.
For example, pg.42 there is an experiment where students were separated into two groups. The groups were asked to read a passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act. One group was asked to simply learn the passage and the other group were asked to read from "multiple perspectives," example: an author's perspective, another person perspective, also including their own perspective. Which group learned more information? Of course, the group that used multiple perspectives outperformed the other group. Furthermore Michael elaborates on this process and places many ideas on the table. He called this subchapter "Da Vinci's Multiple Perspectives," further along the chapter he elaborates "Take on a Different Role," then "Imagine You Are the Problem" and many more areas further along that blend to create a vast pool of creative thinking. I found this particular area very useful. Michael does not simply show problems in creativity without a creative plan-of-action for facilitation. He brings creative solutions to mind and elaborates on them in detail. He gives many examples for looking at a problem or solution, in many different perspectives.

Strategy Six: Looking At The Other Side, is an outstanding section in which paradoxes are shown and analyzed. A spectacular section of most importance, which I will not detail, one must read for themselves.

To my pleasure Michael thoroughly discusses, displays, and employs Mind Maps (Tony Buzan). Before Mind Maps are discussed, Michael shows a similar technique of Mind Mapping called "fishbone." Fishbone's are similar to Mind Maps and are an excellent idea organizer very similar to Mind Maps. Having read a number of books on Mind Mapping, I now recommend Cracking Creativity as "high priority Mind Map reading material." I rank this book second, only to be in favor of Tony Buzan's book "The Mind Map Book." This book offers many creative ideas that are shown for Mind Mapping.

There are many different techniques for creative insight located in this book, so many in fact, I only scratched the surface. Michael frequently comments on famous inventors, thinkers, and artists from science, mathematics, history, etc. in order to further his point of creative thought throughout this book.

For consideration: anyone reading this book should have a proactive mind and a healthy dose of perspiration otherwise an individual may not use the techniques provided. Many of the techniques provided require a pencil, notebook, and very little mental capacity. Group techniques are also extensively employed. Michael Michalko shows us the tools but they are useless if unused. More importantly this book showed MY OWN SELF how to think differently, analyze problems, create solutions, and even create more problems for which my mind now can easily produce solutions. In asking the right questions, Michael Michalko showed me perfectly.

I would like to recommend the hardcover edition of Cracking Creativity. Having not read the paperback edition, I found the hardcover edition of pleasurable type, large pages and diagrams nicely represented.

If I were to summarize this book, I would use the statement on pg. 158 under strategy five: Connecting the Unconnected
"Using this model, it is possible to see what can be done about randomly connecting unrelated subjects in thinking. The first step is to be aware that there is the possibility of this thinking strategy. The second step is to learn how to do it. The third step is to use this strategy as often as you can and to get rid of any inhibitions that interfere with your using it. "

According to Michalko, what are the best strategies for "cracking" the barriers to human creativity?

1. Knowing how to see 2. Making a thought visible 3. Thinking fluently 4. Making novel combinations 5. Connecting the unconnected 6. Looking at the other side 7. Looking in other worlds 8. Finding what you are not looking for 9. Awakening the collaborative spirit

The phrases "can activate" and "can enable" correctly suggest potentiality. However, if you are already convinced that you cannot think more creatively, you won't. Henry Ford once observed that those who think they can and those who think they can't are both right.

Cracking Creativity will help you to develop the skills needed to release from within all manner of ideas, perspectives, and insights which (until now) have been suppressed. When we face an especially complicated problem or especially difficult question, he suggests that we ask "What are the alternatives and options? How should each be evaluated? Where are there possible connections? Perhaps synergies?" Of course, after we think outside the box and come up with really cool stuff, we have to figure out how to get it back into the box. Perhaps that is another book Michalko will one day write.

On average, humans use only 15-17% of the cerebral cortex, that portion of the brain where the most important intellectual transactions occur. No guarantees, of course, but chances are that a careful reading of Cracking Creativity will increase the percentage you use. What are you waiting for?

If you type in the word CREATIVITY in any search engine, you are likely to get a REALLY LONG list of relevant titles and information. How can you tell which title is better? For me the best title would be the one that prompts you to THINK and come up with something ACTIONABLE.

Packed with facinating stories, mind-stretching exercises, inspirating quotes, funny visuals, step-by-step guidelines and checklists, Michalko has successfully written two CLASSICS on the subject of Creativity. The two books give you ALL the powerful tools and techniques you need to generate creative ideas in split second. The tools are so useful that I have copies of the books, both at home and in my office.

I consider Thinkertoys as the ENCYCLOPAEDIA of creative thinking (TOOLS) while Cracking Creativity will definitely give you the MAGIC RECIPE (IDEA GENERATING PROCESS), which gaurantees creative output every time.

Get yourself a copy, I am sure you will find it ENTERTAINING and practical. I am looking forward to Michalko's third book on the subject. I am sure it will be another great hit!

The first time I encountered 'Thinkertoys' it was actually the first edition released during the early 90's, when it was also about the time I began to explore the various options with regard to my mid-life transition. In fact, I had initially spotted an interesting review in the Entrepreneur magazine.

I managed to trace the publisher & had immediately ordered the first 100 copies for my debut bookstore. It became the best seller in my store for many years. Then came 'Cracking Creativity' a few years later as well as the accompanying brainstorming card deck, Thinkpak, to 'Thinkertoys'.

What impressed me most is not so much the creativity tools outlined in both books. In fact, the most productive learning experiences I got out of both books are a few very important things, which I would like to share with readers.

Let's take a look at Thinkertoys. In the Introduction, the author started off with a visual puzzle: 'Can you identify the figure below?'

Only by shifting your focus, you can then see the hidden word within the figure.

In the author's own words, "...by changing your perspectives, you can expand your possibilities..."

Let's move to 'Cracking Creativity'. In the Introduction, the author introduced a simple arithmetic equation: What is half of thirteen?

The subsequent passages as outlined in Part I: Seeing What No One else in Seeing, & Strategy I: Knowing How to See, by the author revealed the secrets to getting many possible answers (or perspectives) to the above equation.

No creativity tool outlined in the above two books (or elsewhere in the world, for that matter) can help you to become more creative until you fully understand - & appreciate - what the author is trying to drive home in his two books.

In a nut shell, it basically boils down to one important thing: Use - & enhance - your power of vision! or power of observation!

The author may not be the first person to postulate this crucial aspect of creativity.

I would consider Leonardo da Vinci to be the first person to have understood & practised it religiously. He said, among a few other things, LEARN TO SEE THE WORLD. In fact, he put a lot of emphasis on using your senses, especially your sense of sight.

Edward de Bono had also broached this valuable concept in his groundbreaking series of lateral thinking books, starting with 'Mechanism of Mind' in the 70's.

I have always believed that you can't do things differently until you can see things differently.

Learning to see the world anew & from different perspectives is imperative if one wants to be more creative.

According to de Bono, creativity starts at the perceptual stage of thinking. He terms it, First Order Thinking. He added very beautifully: "This is where our perceptions & concepts are formed, & this is where they have to be changed. Most of the mistakes in thinking are inadequacies of perception rather than mistakes of logic."

The creativity tools, whether they are from the author's books or elsewhere, will then automaticlaly fall into place & make more sense when you have first exercised your power of vision or observation.

Using any tool is a piece of cake, but changing one's perception - & maintaining fluidity of perception as well as having multiple perceptions - takes concerted efforts.

It is also important to take note that when things (or tactics) don't seem to work out as planned, always remember to check out your observations of the world first. Simply ask:

- what do you CHOOSE to see?
- where do you DIRECT your attention?

The second most productive learning experience I got from the above two books is realising that all thoughts are simply feats of association &/or juxtapositions - & the crux of creativity (in fact, also learning) are making associations &/or juxtapositions. [Tom Peters, in his wonderful book, Liberation Management, drives home with this insightful nugget: "The essence of creation - in all endeavours - is chance connections between ideas and facts that are previously segregated. Entrepreneurship is the direct by-product of chance, of convoluted connections among ideas, needs and people." According to Leonardo da vinci, everything is connected to everything else. My question: CAN YOU SEE IT?] The creativity tools outlined by the author are specifically designed for this purpose.

The third most productive learning experience for me is understanding the differential between productive & reproductive thinking. To paraphrase the author: "...in productive thinking, one generates as many alternative approaches as one can, considering the least as well as the most likely approaches...in contrast, reproductive thinking fosters rigidity of thought..." More relevant aspects about the significance of & more specific strategies to develop productive thinking are excellently covered by the author in 'Cracking Creativity'.

To end this review, & in the light of what I have written, I would consider the author's two books as the dynamic duo...to be among the best in the genre!

Michalko's premise is that by studying the thinking of geniuses we can learn secrets of creative thinking. His idea works well.

The first part, "Seeing What No One Else is Seeing" is learning to look at problems and situations in a different way. He gives a lot of techniques for different perspectives, such as abstracting problems, diagramming and rephrasing. These can be very helpful if you stop and apply them to problems as you are reading.

The second part "Thinking What No One Else is Thinking" talks about using techniques from the first part to break out of conventional ways of thought.

I found the suggestions extremely useful. They really helped me develop new strategies to deal with problems, as well as thinking of better ways to do things which were not yet problems. The random word list alone is worth the price of the book.

When a friend gave me a copy of Michalko's THINKERTOYS, now considered the bible of the strategy and tactics of creative thinking, I was in awe of how Michalko took me on a journey that had concrete approaches, methods and pragmatic examples of real solutions. I couldn't imagine what he could do for an encore. I don't have to wonder anymore because this latest work exceeds any expectations I would have guessed. Written with the clarity and insightfulness that have become his trademark, Michalko takes us on another joyful journey of thinking and creativity, using the masters of thinking skills as our guides. Being a writer of puzzle books, I am constantly on the lookout for new ideas and perspectives for creating interesting and challenging puzzles . . . I don't have to go far to find the tools I need. Mr. Michalko takes pretty good care of me. Thank you once again, sir, for a most pleasurable ride.( P.S. It suddenly dawned on me that Michalko's books are not only mandatory for businesses, but for you educators, what a wonderful addition his books would make in our nation's school systems.)

This is something that is tickling my mind, after reading first few chapters of this book, I closed it, stood up, walked around my living room with my hands folded back. I looked outside the window and saw few kids playing in the park and was forced to think something.

We as kids first made to learn lots of new things and are forced to treat those things as basic and important which does not turn out to be true in the long run (refer to Michael's blog about Thomas Edison's Greatest Blessings). Later on we discover how things are different in life than the way we know them.

After reading the book Thinkertoys and Creative Thinking, I feel like its not that I have to learn these new concepts straight but there is an entire process involved of first of all unlearning most of the stuffs from past and then learning these new concepts. Also, I feel that we all do feel at times that we might naturally have discovered these methodologies ourselves but sat back as these were not the rules of the books.

And when I say that I have to look at the kids I wonder what they are being taught in their schools, only to find one day that they have to unlearn some of the concepts on which they are spending or rather wasting their time.

Do read the book, as mentioned earlier it makes you smile after every chapter as you discover immense possibilities of what all can be achieved in your day to day life.

I'm career military intelligence. Michalko is a legend in intelligence, so I was pleasantly surprised to find out he's written books about creative thinking.. I read "Thinkertoys," as soon as I discovered he wrote the book, and have just finished "Cracking Creativity." Both books are remarkable.

I am a trainer of negotiators and I am aware of the importance of creativity to improve the negotiation skills. I do think that Cracking Creativity is the most valuable book I have studied and I included some of his concepts in my 1998's book on creativity. Mr Michalko has contributed in a considerable way to make creativity a non-cloudy topic. He presents the concepts in a simple and effective way. Small is beautiful and simple is better. I do recommend Michalko's books

What an amazing book! Like a modern day Prometheus, Michalko has brought the concept of genius down from the mountain-top and offers its secrets in Cracking Creativity. An incredible insight to the thought process of historys geniuses. Michalko has opened the door and the windows on genius and brings the concept to the reader with practical thinking techniques. This book is the 'on' switch for the proverbial idea light bulb!