Our Toughest Problems Require Better Problem Solving Tools

1. New theory of innovation has led to an effective technique to counter every human obstacle to creativity.

2. New mathematical proof shows a limit to a computer's creativity.

3. New human-computer interaction, BrainSwarming, is more creative than either partner working alone.

RELEVANT EDUCATION

COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY (UMASS AMHERST)

My research focused on improving human creativity. My dissertation found the first highly effective technique to counter functional fixedness, which is the tendency to fixate on the designed use of an object which hinders creating new uses.

2006-2012

Ph. D.

1990-1992

Master's Degree

PHILOSOPHY (LOYOLA U. CHICAGO)

My favorite philosophers are Heidegger, Wittgenstein, Dewey, William James, and Richard Rorty.

COMPUTER SCIENCE (INDIANA UNIVERSITY)

I specialized in ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, before leaving the field to mathematically prove a limit to a computer's creativity and designing a human-machine interaction that is more creative than either working alone.

1984-1986

Master's Degree

Relevant Publications

MENTIONS IN PUBLICATIONS

LINKS

Axios.com

Computers and Humans and Super-Creativity

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Harvard Business Review

There will always be a limit to how creative a computer can be

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AI EDAM Journal (Cambridge University Press)

An approach to human-machine collaboration in innovation

Computer's Limitations to Creativity

Harvard Business Review, Axios.com, AI EDAM

Overcome Any Obstacle to Creativity

Rowman & Littlefield (December 2017)

Presents a technique to counter every mental obstacle to creativity.

Also presents The Nonsense Method of Teaching, which leverages our deep need and ability to make sense of disparate things. Both fun and an effective teaching method.

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Journal article that presents some of the techniques.

McCaffrey, T., & Krishnamurty, S. (2014). The Obscure Features Hypothesis in design innovation. International Journal of Design Creativity and Innovation, 1-28.

Find Innovation Where you Least Expect It

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Why We Can't See Solutions in Plain Sight

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BrainSwarming: Because Brainstorming Doesn't Work

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BrainSwarming Webinar

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Feeling Stumped? Innovation Software Can Help

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Why We Can't See What's Right in Front of Us

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Eagle Hill School Maker Store

Marketing innovative products made by students.

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Captain Sideways

Solving people's progblems by looking at them "sideways" (from unusual perspectives).

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1) Captain Sideways overcomes functional fixedness to save everyone on a sinking ship.

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2) Captain Sideways overcomes goal fixedness to remove all the space junk from Earth's orbit.

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3) Captain Sideways overcomes goal fixedness to reduce concussions in American football players.

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4) Captain Sideways overcomes design fixation to create a self-snuffing candle.

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ANALOGICAL SEARCH ENGINE 

Analogy Finder: US 9,501,469 B2

November 22, 2016

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FEATURE TYPE SPECTRUM

US 9,646,266 B2

May 9, 2017

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TRADEMARK: BrainSwarming

Business Processes

Innovation Writings for Harvard Business Review

(print magazine, videos, & blogs)

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Youth Innovation

(comic strip for education youth)

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PATENTS & TRADEMARKS

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