EDWARD DE BONO'S MESSAGE
24th August 1997

"DESIGN CONFERENCE ON NORTHERN IRELAND"

This is going well and people are sending in suggestions, soncepts and ideas. Please read my comments on the ideas and the process.

This internet Conference provides a special opportunity for young people to put in their own ideas - something which is not easily done otherwise.

Thos who have net access via their own computers, via Cybercafe's or via school or public library, should also seek to form small 'Thinking Groups' to discusss the matter and to generate new ideas. The perosn with net access can then put the group's output up on the Design Conference site. In other words, those who have access should also seek to get ideas from others around them who might not have access. If the Internet is ever going to have real value then it should not be confined only to those with direct access. So input ideas from others as well as form yourselves. Set up thinking groups or just a thinking evening with friends.

For those who have no other way of putting ideas onto the Conference can send their ideas to:
The Edward de Bono Non-Profit Foundation,
Hightown Ave,
Newtownabbey,
Co Antrim
N Ireland BT36 8RR.

This is actually the title of my latest book which is going to be published in the UK at the end of August. It has already been published in Australia and New Zealand. Peple spend hours and lots of money trying to look good and to be fit. How much attention do we spend on our minds and become interesting? There are people who have done extraordinary things: like my friend Buzz Aldrin who walked on the moon; like my friend Peter Habler who climbed Mount Everest without oxygen; like my friend Clare Francis who sailed around the world single handed. The book is about how ordinary people living ordinary libvescan acquire the habits and skills of being interested and becoming interesting.

The book is full of practice exercises. The book relates to my previous work because it involves 'playing around in the playground of perception'.

'Possibilities' are the key to progress in science, technology and everywhere else. The ability to generate and design possibilities is what 'interesting' is all about. It is a matter of making connections, speculations, provocations etc. You 'spiral' out around the subject as the book suggests.

You will find that bookstores stock few copies of my books because they are never sure who the buyers are going to be - so you ought to visit your bookshop soon or use a net bookshop.

There have been many good and amusing stories around the 'dog and fence' story. The best ones are those that are simple and direct. The situation can be varied somewhat in order to make different points about thinking.

Edward de Bono
22nd August 1997
Malta