Find a need and fill it is the old inventing adage. In an era of the sky’s the limit, maybe it should be find a fantasy and fulfill it. Skip the obvious sex and love stuff. Instead, really imagine the limits of what’s possible. Ask: If you could have any one super power, what would it Read More …
If you can’t eradicate the mosquitos or eliminate the disease, how about genetically engineering the power out of the disease? Create harmless nontoxic parasites that outbreed the bad kinds … and make them so they are treatable. I’ve also heard that some micro-organisms can transfer DNA, so maybe the innocuousness could prove contagious to the bad protozoans. Even Read More …
Those Segway Human Transporters have yet to revolutionize the world. Maybe one reason is that the joy of riding them can’t be shared. So make one so two people can ride. Standing. (Not expecting it’d work with one on the handlebars.) Even more economical. Fun on dates. And one person could hold the umbrella. Hey, look there already is Read More …
The mother of all Magic 8 Balls. Has a much bigger window. And when you shake it and turn it over, three of the 20 message triangles float into view within that window. For example: “Edible.” “Music.” “Money.” Let it percolate. What bubbles into your brain? Edible Music? Song lyrics printed on flat candy? Chocolates Read More …
Imagine if students put as many hours into inventing as they do into sports. Make it a team effort, and glories would spring forth. Or do the same with collaborative writing teams.
“Perhaps we could work together on something one of these days,” said a kind note from Drew Anderson of MoHDI, another ideas blog. Which gave me an idea: How about a game of Idea Tennis? You know how one idea can inspire another? Why couldn’t I lob one up, and then the ball’s in Andy’s court, to come Read More …
The Great American Idea Book. OK, it’s out of date (1993) and out of stock, but spending $2 for a used copy online could be a great investment. Surveys almost all the ways to turn ideas into income, from music to inventions to starting a business. A surprise to me: Writing books ranks high for reward vs. risk. Your biggest expense Read More …
2-step process for generating ideas, recommended by a Japanese ad agency. A marketing guru’s take on trusting your gut instincts. 10 steps for boosting creativity. Idea Spotting: Another set of 10 tips.
World’s easiest job, right? Probably not, but doesn’t everybody think so? “I drive a car, so why couldn’t I tell Ford or Chevy how to improve cars, and get paid for it?” Well, let’s give a bunch of regular people just that chance. Each week, they visit another major corporation (can you say sponsors, boys Read More …