Methods against methods

In this chapter we intend to clarify some issues about creativity and innovation methods, because we believe that the term is often misunderstood. For us neither creativity nor innovation is guided by a method. There are only methods against methods that can help the extraordinary individual to step faster and easier into a state of mind that is conducive to creativity, but which has no effect on whether the creative output becomes an innovation. In order to support this claim, we outline three major reasons that seem to be responsible for making people believe that such methods for creativity and innovation exist. Then we present our understanding of creativity and continue with a discussion on the systemic character of creativity and innovation. Finally we show that there are no methods for creativity, but methods against non-creativity by explaining in particular how one of these methods against non-creativity works. What we outline here is a necessarily one-sided and partial view. Our aim is not to convince the readers that we are right but to make them think by presenting one possible consistent approach.