Forget Brainstorming
What you think you know about fostering creativity is wrong. A look at what really works.

Brainstorming in a group became popular in 1953 with the publication of a business book,Applied Imagination. But it’s been proven not to work since 1958, when Yale researchers found that the technique actually reduced a team’s creative output: the same number of people generate more and better ideas separately than together. In fact, according to University of Oklahoma professor Michael Mumford, half of the commonly used techniques intended to spur creativity don’t work, or even have a negative impact. As for most commercially available creativity training, Mumford doesn’t mince words: it’s “garbage.” Whether for adults or kids, the worst of these programs focus solely on imagination exercises, expression of feelings, or imagery. They pander to an easy, unchallenging notion that all you have to do is let your natural creativity out of its shell. However, there are some techniques that do boost the creative process:

Don’t tell someone to ‘be creative.’

Such an instruction may just cause people to freeze up. However, according to the University of Georgia’s Mark Runco, there is a suggestion that works: “Do something only you would come up with—that none of your friends or family would think of.” When Runco gives this advice in experiments, he sees the number of creative responses double.

This is my first repeat post! I am so sorry everyone. But I think I did not give it enough credit the first time around. Marion Davis, the 20s screen siren and famed paramour of William Randolph Hearst, would be very pleased to know that her opulent estate – on five acres of beachfront property along what is formally known as the Santa Monica gold coast – was transformed last summer as the Annenberg Community Beach House. The estate had languished for years after 1994′s big California Northridge earthquake before the Annenberg Foundation stepped in with $27.5 million grant to create a completely sustainable community space dedicated to the public. No membership required. All you need is a reservation; 100 are accepted each day, up to three days in advance.

The Davies estate, designed in part by architect Julia Morgan, who also did Hearst’s San Simeon castle, was a 24-hour party during the golden age of Hollywood. Today the pool and guest house are the only remaining structures from the original mansion. The historic pool, eight feet deep, is adorned with hand painted fish tiles and marble deck.

I always find it a type of elegance from an older world when a brand is appointed by the old kings, there is something that is melancholy in a way. Anyways, here is E.TAUTZ – a detail of a beautiful blazer, as well as the company’s graphics and branding.

Spending the days running wild, finding a way to turn a major metropolis into a summertime discovery. A few novelties, and a few classics along the way.

The breakdown: Giorgio Armani white blazer, Thomas Pink button up shirt, Prada pants, Nava Milano watch, Links London cufflinks, Blinde sunglasses, Ralph Lauren socks, Hardrige suede shoes (hand made).

Unfortunately style does not come cheap… no matter what ‘they’ say.