“We can’t deploy more often because we have too many defects.”

“So when we have fewer defects we can deploy more often?”

“Wait, I didn’t say…”

“How would we have fewer defects? Programmers writing tests. Reviews of every production incident with followups.”

“How did you come up with so many ideas?”

It’s not magic. It’s Thinkies. This one is called “Can’t/Because”. And you can learn any one of a hundred Thinkies to unstick your thinking at Thinkies World Congress II, online May 20, 2026.

Thinkies are learnable pattern transformations you can use to shift how you see a situation, expand the space of options, and spark new ideas — especially when things feel stuck or prematurely decided. It’s not about having the right idea, it’s about generating lots of ideas — some of which might be brilliant.

Thinkies help you notice when a conversation or decision is falling into a predictable groove — and then offer you a way to step sideways, flip the frame, or open up new paths.

The whole congress gives you a chance to get your hands on Thinkies in a supportive environment. We'll be gathering around virtual tables at the event, where facilitators will guide groups of attendees in applying a Thinkie to a sticky scenario and brainstorming ideas.

One cool thing about Thinkies World Congress is that it doesn’t have to cost you a cent. Sign up as a facilitator, learn one Thinkie deeply at our facilitator’s training, & you’re in the game.

We’re looking to fill the rest of our roster of facilitators, but training starts May 5. Sign up here! Or sign up as a participant if you prefer.

The closing panel discussion on the nature of creativity, inspiration, & innovation is crammed with world-class thinkers. Not to be missed.

Our team of brilliant organizers have spent half a year bringing you TWC II: Blake Lindsay , Bruno Monteiro, Mário Melo , Wisen Tanasa , Carlo Gilmar. All led by the ringleader Arty Starr. (Give them all a listen on LinkedIn.)