Our Toughest Problems Require Better Problem Solving Tools
-
New theory of innovation has led to an effective technique to counter every human obstacle to creativity.
-
New mathematical proof shows a limit to a computer's creativity.
-
New human-computer interaction, BrainSwarming, is more creative than either partner working alone.
Tony McCaffrey, PhD
Innovation Researcher
Contact
​
Mission
-
to improve human creativity
-
to design a human-machine interaction that is more creative than either partner working alone
​
Websites
​
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
​
Harvard Business Review
There will always be a limit to how creative a computer can be
​
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.
​
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
​
Why We Can't See Solutions in Plain Sight
​
BrainSwarming: Because Brainstorming Doesn't Work
​
​
Feeling Stumped? Innovation Software Can Help
​
Why We Can't See What's Right in Front of Us
​
​
​
Eagle Hill School Maker Store
Marketing innovative products made by students.
​
Captain Sideways
Solving people's progblems by looking at them "sideways" (from unusual perspectives).
​
1) Captain Sideways overcomes functional fixedness to save everyone on a sinking ship.
​
2) Captain Sideways overcomes goal fixedness to remove all the space junk from Earth's orbit.
​
3) Captain Sideways overcomes goal fixedness to reduce concussions in American football players.
​
4) Captain Sideways overcomes design fixation to create a self-snuffing candle.
​
​
ANALOGICAL SEARCH ENGINE
Analogy Finder: US 9,501,469 B2
November 22, 2016
​
FEATURE TYPE SPECTRUM
US 9,646,266 B2
May 9, 2017
​
TRADEMARK: BrainSwarming
Business Processes
Innovation Writings for Harvard Business Review
(print magazine, videos, & blogs)
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
Youth Innovation
(comic strip for education youth)
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
PATENTS & TRADEMARKS
​
​
​
