Jamas

250
Art of Inventing

The model of this process can be followed using B. Kedrov’s* well-known scheme
to overcome cognitive-psychological barriers (fig. 18.2). While searching for a solution, human thoughts move from the facts F that describe the initial situation to
the determination of something special S about these facts in order to create an
idea for a solution. Thoughts move in aspecific direction ( ) until they run into
the cognitive-psychological barrier B. This barrier means that either sufficient
knowledge or the necessary psychological state is not present. Which actions can
we associate with the task of removing barriers? We could climb or jump over the
barrier, for example. Exactly that was shown as a creative impulse that represents
a jumping board that thenthrows thoughts over the barrier! This kind of jumping
board can be a thought that moves towards (ß), for example. This can be any asso-
ciation: an object or phenomenon (in the Method of focal objects), another idea,
even an incorrect one in brainstorming, fantasy analogies (in synectics), etc.

Actually, the same psychological sluggishness is at work here. Ask yourself the
question how thisbarrier really functions? If you just want to see the idea behind
the barrier, your actions could look completely different! For example, the following associations could work: go around the barrier, get over the barrier with a
ladder or a balloon, pull the barrier down or destroy it, break it up, make a hole
or a tunnel through it, etc. All of these are different images that are so special thatthey can lead to confusion just like the terms in every other problem description.
The essence of Kedrov’s metaphor is thoughts need the method (ß) to take “nonobvious” ideas into consideration. In TRIZ, this kind of method is Functionally
ideal modeling (see section 9.2.). If we want to continue to play with words and
thoughts and move to even more fantastic fantasy images, we could say thatthe
functionally ideal modeling makes the barrier transparent! This means that something becomes visible through it.

251
Pragmatism of Fantasy
In fig. 18.3, you’ll find a comparison of “usual” thinking with TRIZ thinking*:
“Usual thinking is controlled by consciousness. It protects us from illogical modes
of action and influences us with a large mass of strictures. But, every inventionovercomes normal images of what’s possible and what’s not.”

TRADITIONAL THINKING TRIZ THINKING
1 Tends towards making things Tends to intensify, more complex requirements
easy, simplification of the re- placed on the task
quirements placed on the task

2 Tends to avoid “improbable” Strives to follow paths that increase the “improbpathsability”
3 Imprecise visual image of theob-Precise visual image of the object tied tied to its ideal
ject tied to its prototypefinal result

4 “flat” image of the object
Image of the object “in its entirety”: the object’s
sub- and super-systems are considered as well as
the object itself

5 Image of the object as a “single The object is understood in its historical movepicture”ment: yesterday, today, and tomorrow (if the present lineof development continues)

6 “fixed” and hardly changeable Image of the object is “flexible” and can be easily
image of the objectchanged in time and space

7 memory provides similar and Memory provides other and therefore strong therefore weak analogiesanalogies where information is constantly updated with new principles and procedures

8 “ barrier of specialization” gets “Barrier ofspecialization” is destroyed with time
stronger with time

9 controlabillity of thinking does Thinking gets more controllable. Inventors view
not increasethe path of thought from the side, can easily control the process of thinking, and distance themselves from “intrusive” variations

The capability for functionally ideal modeling has to be trained. This can also be
done by reading...