Creative Blindness (And How To Cure It)

What's "Creative Blindness (And How To Cure It)" about?

• Exploration of Creativity: The book delves into the concept of "creative blindness," where individuals fail to see creative opportunities around them.
• Real-life Stories: It uses real-life stories to illustrate how creative thinking can solve problems in unexpected ways.
• Corkscrew Thinking: The author introduces the idea of "corkscrew thinking," a method of approaching problems from unconventional angles.
• Practical Advice: It offers practical advice on how to develop and harness creative thinking in everyday life.

Why should I read "Creative Blindness (And How To Cure It)" by Dave Trott?

• Enhance Creativity: The book provides insights into enhancing your creative thinking skills, which are valuable in both personal and professional settings.
• Engaging Stories: It uses engaging and relatable stories to illustrate creative problem-solving, making it an enjoyable read.
• Practical Applications: The advice is practical and applicable to real-world situations, making it useful for anyone looking to improve their creative abilities.
• Unique Perspective: Dave Trott's unique perspective on creativity challenges conventional thinking and encourages readers to think differently.

What are the key takeaways of "Creative Blindness (And How To Cure It)"?

• Creativity is Everywhere: Creativity can be found in everyday situations if you know how to look for it.
• Corkscrew Thinking: Approaching problems from unconventional angles can lead to innovative solutions.
• Practical Creativity: Creativity is not just for artists; it can be applied in business, problem-solving, and daily life.
• Overcoming Creative Blindness: By exercising your creative muscle, you can overcome creative blindness and see opportunities where others see obstacles.

What is "corkscrew thinking" as described in "Creative Blindness (And How To Cure It)"?

• Non-linear Approach: Corkscrew thinking involves approaching problems in a non-linear, unconventional way.
• Problem as Opportunity: It encourages seeing problems as opportunities for creative solutions.
• Historical Examples: The book provides historical examples, such as Bletchley Park and the Sten gun, to illustrate corkscrew thinking.
• Secret Weapon: Described as a secret weapon in creativity, it can give individuals a competitive edge.

How does Dave Trott suggest overcoming creative blindness?

• Spot Creativity: Learn to spot creativity in everyday situations, from work to daily routines.
• Exercise Creativity: Like a muscle, creativity needs to be exercised regularly to grow stronger.
• Discuss and Share: Engage in discussions about creativity to broaden your perspective and influence others.
• Practical Exercises: The book offers practical exercises and examples to help readers develop their creative skills.

What are some real-life examples of creative thinking in "Creative Blindness (And How To Cure It)"?

• Washington Redskins Sting: A sting operation used free game tickets to capture fugitives, demonstrating creative problem-solving.
• Friendship Benches in Zimbabwe: Grandmothers were trained to provide therapy, turning a lack of psychiatrists into an opportunity.
• Vulcan, West Virginia Bridge: A creative letter to the Russian embassy led to funding for a much-needed bridge.
• Girl Scout Cookie Sales: A Girl Scout sold cookies outside a marijuana dispensary, capitalizing on the munchies effect.

What is the significance of "The Ploughman’s Lunch" story in the book?

• Invented Tradition: The Ploughman’s Lunch was a marketing invention, not a historical tradition.
• Repackaging History: It shows how history can be repackaged to create a compelling narrative.
• Marketing Lesson: Demonstrates the power of storytelling in marketing to create perceived value.
• Cultural Impact: The story became part of national memory, illustrating the impact of creative marketing.

How does "Creative Blindness (And How To Cure It)" address the role of fear in creativity?

• Fear as a Tool: The book suggests that fear can be a valuable tool for entrepreneurs and creative thinkers.
• Steve Jobs Example: Steve Jobs used fear of competition to drive innovation, leading to the creation of the iPhone.
• Evolutionary Advantage: Fear is presented as an evolutionary advantage that keeps species, and businesses, alert and competitive.
• Embrace Fear: Encourages readers to embrace fear as a motivator for creative solutions.

What are some of the best quotes from "Creative Blindness (And How To Cure It)" and what do they mean?

• "Creativity is your legal unfair advantage." This quote emphasizes that creativity can give you a competitive edge in a fair and legal way.
• "The difficulty lies not so much in developing new ideas, as in escaping from the old ones." It highlights the challenge of breaking free from conventional thinking to embrace new ideas.
• "Strategy is sacrifice." This quote underscores the importance of focusing on what truly matters and letting go of the rest to achieve strategic goals.
• "Simple is harder than complicated." It suggests that achieving simplicity requires more effort and creativity than complexity.

How does Dave Trott illustrate the concept of "creative impact" in the book?

• Barney the Parrot: A parrot's foul language brought attention to a wildlife sanctuary, illustrating how being different can create impact.
• Show Don’t Tell: The book emphasizes the power of demonstration over claims, using historical advertising examples.
• Unfriendly Fire: A story about the Austrian army highlights how overthinking and fear can lead to self-defeat, stressing the importance of clear communication.
• Advertising Lessons: The book provides lessons on how impactful advertising can change behavior and perception.

What is the role of "practical creativity" in "Creative Blindness (And How To Cure It)"?

• Triage Thinking: Focus on where your efforts will make the most difference, akin to medical triage.
• Pareto Principle: Apply the 80/20 rule to focus on the most impactful areas of your work or business.
• Problem Solving: View problems as opportunities for creative solutions, as demonstrated by various real-life examples.
• Simplification: Emphasizes the power of simplification in achieving creative breakthroughs.

How does "Creative Blindness (And How To Cure It)" address the concept of "creative surprises"?

• Unexpected Outcomes: The book discusses how unexpected outcomes can lead to creative breakthroughs.
• Backfire Effect: Illustrates how perceived threats can drive demand, as seen in the gun industry under Obama.
• Boys with Toys: A story about a Russian submarine highlights the importance of understanding different perspectives.
• Hold On a Minute: Myer's creative approach to hold music turned a negative experience into a positive one, showing how small changes can have a big impact.