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Pattern Recognition – Elephant Now, quickly, turn your head.  Whit your head turned, did you think there was anything wrong with the elephant?  Most likely not. How many legs does the elephant have?  Two?  Too Many?   This gets back to your brain’s ability to recognize patterns.  We saw the elephant, our brains said OK,

Inattentional Blindness or Selective Attention   In this video, I will ask you to count how many times the players wearing white pass the basketball.  Scan the barcode or click the link  below and be very careful to count the  number of times the white shirt team passes the ball.   http://bit.ly/2hFeCnH   Go watch

What’s Behind The Bars   Do you see anybody behind the bars?   Try shaking your head from left to right while looking at the image and Imagine.    “An Intellectual is someone who can discern patterns; A Genius is someone who can discern patterns where none are obvious.” -Lon Safko   Lon Safko Serial

No set of “your brain is messing with your head” illusions would be complete without something from this guy. Do you know who this famous artist is?  It’s…  MC…  NOT HAMMER…  It’s MC Escher.  Google him and select images. You will see some of the most innovative, creative drawings you will ever see.   Lon

Pattern Recognition – Door Panels    Here another tricky pattern recognition activity.  This is a classic door with square raised panels.  Stare at the white ”X” in the center of the image.   Do you see the square panels?  You saw the “square panels because I told you to see them.    Now I want you

Pattern Recognition – Antique Jug   Take a look at this antique jug.  What do you see?   Nearly all school children see nine dolphins.   Did you see dolphins or something else?  Do you have a dirty mind and see an intimate couple embracing?  You don’t have a dirty mind.  Again, it’s all about

Mistakes Are Opportunities   Vasoline   In 1859, Robert Cheesebrough a young chemist and pharmacist on the edge of bankruptcy, went to Titusville, PA to find success in the new oil boom.   While talking with the roughnecks he heard them complain about the pasty paraffin-like residue that clogged up the drilling rods.  They added

Defining The Box   Environmental Blocks   When you are trying to be creative or innovative, there is a myriad of reasons, causes, and blocks that can prevent you.  In addition to training your mind, you have to train the people around you to accept your quirkiness a necessity to act differently, say unusual things

Emotional Blocks There are Emotional Blocks as well.  There are reasons why we won’t allow ourselves to be innovative, because of how we might look to others or how we judge ourselves. Here is a short list of reasons we hesitate in getting into that innovative state of mind. Peer Pressure And Judgement Fear Of

There are also many of Cultural Blocks that prevent us from being creative.  Here’s my starter list.  Add some of your own. Taboos Fantasy And Reflection Are A Waste Of Time Playfulness Is For Children Only Problem Solving Is Serious Business, Humor Is Out Of Place I’m Not Supposed To Do That You Will Appear