DRIVING ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ROAD tm.

© 2007
by Paul Henrickson,Ph.D.

Generally speaking most of human communication skills that are

consciously taught in most educational organizations are those skills
which reinforce a linear configuration. The information is presented in
the form of a sentence which begins with a capital letter and ends with a
period. How often can one hear something like: “yes, I heard you, but I
didn’t know what you wanted because you didn’t finish the sentence,”?
We are taught not only to speak or write in “complete” sentences, but
also to listen for complete sentences before any communication is
thought to have been accomplished.

Our communications skills, in reality, are much more flexible than what
this scenario suggests and that a great deal of meaningful and
trustworthy communication takes place in a host of other ways
including facial expression, intended or unintended body language and
often enough with incomplete sentences, or expressions of surprise or
doubt such as a simple “oh?” In drama academies such non-linear
modes of communication are specifically taught in an effort to support,
or enhance, the meaning.

In support of non-linear communication techniques Dr. Paul

Henrickson of Gozo, Malta, has devised a series of unconventional
puzzles designed to exercise the non-linear, multiple solution, flexible
approach to problem solving which focuses on this mental attribute, the
attribute of sizing up a situation by the use of visual clues only.

As most people are aware the traditional puzzle while using visual clues
to help the puzzle solver to successfully complete the task the
interlocking puzzle pieces prohibit the puzzle solver from “making an
error”. This technical assistance is part of the design of the traditional
puzzle and when the puzzle is completed helps to keep the product from
falling apart, but this built-in characteristics also prohibits the solver
from investigating the appropriateness of alternative solutions to the
reconstruction of the puzzle, solutions which could possibly be better
than the one intended. The intolerance of behaviors which are
considered inappropriate or unproductive of achieving the preconceived
solution also frustrate an individual’s curiosity and penchant for
experimentation, qualities that are absolutely essential in the mental
operations of a creative inventor, scientist, artist, thinker, or diplomatic
tactician.

For these reasons, and many more, Dr. Henrickson has developed scores
of puzzles with basically non-objective images and unconventional dye
cutting as a powerful tool in the exercise of those mental qualities that
are non-linear, flexible and experimental.

Every classroom from K through 12 and beyond and every

organization, business, social, or end-product centered would be well
advised to have a set of these puzzles available for the use of their
associates as a device that will help to energize the abilities that lead to
creative solutions.