A Technique for Producing Ideas” by James Webb Young is a brilliant, concise little book that truly stands the test of time. It’s a wonderful read for anyone looking to understand the mechanics of creative thought.

Here’s a summary of its core principles:

• Ideas are new combinations: Young posits that all new ideas are simply fresh combinations of existing elements.

• See relationships: The ability to form new combinations relies on your skill in seeing relationships between different facts.

• Gather raw materials: Start by collecting two types of information: specific (related to your problem) and general (broad knowledge).

• Dig deep for specific material: Don’t just skim the surface; thoroughly understand your particular problem or subject.

• Cultivate general knowledge: Read widely and be genuinely curious about diverse fields of information.

• Mentally “chew” on materials: Work over your gathered information, looking at it from various angles and trying to fit pieces together.

• Allow for incubation: After intense mental work, step away from the problem entirely and let your subconscious mind take over.

• The “Eureka!” moment: Ideas often emerge suddenly and unexpectedly after this period of incubation.

• Develop and refine: Raw ideas need to be shaped, tested, and adapted to be truly useful in the real world.

• Welcome criticism: Don’t hold your ideas too tightly; share them and be open to feedback for improvement.

• Ideas are self-expanding: Good ideas often inspire others to contribute and enhance them.

• Practice is key: The process of producing ideas is a learned technique that improves with consistent practice.