Finds

№ 28 | Reading-Writing-Thinking, Good Questions, Teamwords, Creative Dying, and 500+ ChatGPT Prompts

Stephen P. Anderson

17 Mar 2023 — 2 min read

Reading - Writing - Thinking

While aimed at academics, I love this simple model, showing ”3 signs your research is out of balance.”

Check out the explanation in this Twitter thread.

Good Questions

“Good questions change both the questioner and the listener” writes Andrea Mignolo. I love her straightforward advice about what makes a good question:

Good questions start with 'what' or 'how' (avoid why questions - they are hard to answer and often feel judgmental) and create a frame of reference for provocation and possibility. Good questions create movement and options. Good questions are empowering and dig deep - deeper than we usually feel comfortable going.

For examples of this, continue reading Andrea's post on LinkedIn.

Teamwords

“Play this card game to solve your team’s biggest problems.” That’s a pretty big claim, for simple communication game consisting of little more than “44 words ”people use to describe how they want to work together on teams.” But, knowing this comes from Mary and David Sherwin gives me confidence that there’s some thoughtful selection here.

Creative Dying Card Game

Via the IndieCade Festival 2022 I found this ‘analog’ game: The Game — Creative Dying. It bills itself as ”a low-stakes, accessible way to have meaningful conversations about life and death.”

Here’s a longer description:

Although we often avoid conversations about death, talking about this topic can be liberating and practically important. In playing the Creative Dying Card Game, we hope that you might experience greater insight and connection to yourself, to other beings and to the rhythms of life.

[SIDENOTE: I like the ability to rotate card for different questions; and, the color-coded flower to indicate the types of questions being discussed is a nice touch!]

500+ ChatGPT Prompt Templates

I’ve been spending a bit of time playing with ChatGPT. As a ‘thing to think with,’ I’m definitely seeing the importance of writing well formed queries. Here’s a ”free site gives you 500+ ChatGPT prompts to play with.”

№ 85 | Wardley Mapping, “Should I Stay or Should I Go Now?”, Project Zero’s Thinking Routine Toolbox, Art Therapy Card Deck, The 100-Year Lab, and Seeds of Renewal

This will be the last newsletter until next year. I normally publish Thinking Things every two weeks, which means the next issue would fall on December 29th, except—I’m going to take off some time off over the holidays🎄. Next issue will go out (checking the calendar) Jan 12th.

№ 84 | The StoryTelling Leader, Content Patterns, Defining Transdisciplinary Research, the Serious Games Idea Deck, the Map of Board Games, and Andrew Garfield and Elmo on Grief

The StoryTelling Leader I recently started following David Hutchens on LinkedIn. As it turns out… I already I own two of his books (Circle of the 9 Muses and Outlearning the Wolves) and his card deck (below) 🤪. Anyway, when it comes to narratives—specifically leadership stories—he knows his stuff!

№ 83 | Stop Project 2025 Comics, Future for All: A vision for 2048, eyeConnect Cards, The Rule Book, and the Effects of Geography on Voting

This edition of the newsletter comes a couple days later than usual, but for a wonderful reason—I spent 5 days last week playing board games with my friends at BGG Con. 🎲 🤩 Next issue will resume the normal Sunday schedule! 🥸Reminder: If you're participating in the Create A

№ 82 | Pebble Talk, The Mood Meter, 3 Styles of Play, A Convection Simulation, an Electoral College Simulation, and What If America Had 6 Political Parties?

📍In case you missed it… Throughout November, I’m hosting another Creative Challenge: Create A Real Life Character Sheet. About 15 people have signed up so far, and there’s space for a few more folks—you should join us! Pebble Talk Here’s a way to avoid awkward small