Drunken Brainstorming

The details on origin are sketchy. But it became a night to remember, which turned out to be remarkably productive.

A group of about twenty people gathered in someone's apartment for a night of "drunken brainstorming" of ideas for the next issue of PresenTense Magazine. It started off slow, with people trickling in, and not really so much taking advantage of the "drunken" part. When the brainstorming began, people switched on, and started generating ideas of their own and adding on to the ideas of others (while consuming a few beers or vodka drinks). After some small-group brainstorming, we pooled the index cards/ideas and read them out loud; then people suggested ways we could refine or expand the ideas in print, which we scribbled down on post-it notes (see photo at left) and posted on an impromptu whiteboard/door.

No one was really drunk. But a drink or two (or even the option of drinking) certainly freed us all up creatively, made us less inhibited about expressing our opinions and our interests and made the whole process a more collaborative one that flowed rather amazingly...

Stay tuned for more, and if you want to become involved in PresenTense, we're always happy to have the help; from editing to advertising, from subscriptions to content creation, from PR to website/blog management, many opportunities are available, so just let us know what you'd like to achieve and we'll help!

Comments

[Ben Reynolds]

But did you wake up not knowing the Magazine's name?

[Esther Kustanowitz]

Magazine? What magazine?

"Who is this? What's your operating number?"

[blaster]

"Boring conversation anyway. Luke, we're going to have company!"

[therapydoc]

You gotta' love alcohol, America's favorite drug. I'll gladly write a piece for you on the pros and cons. In my world, of course, they're usually cons. Jews aren't still around for nothing.

[Paul Wolfowitz]

Therapydoc you are right to condemn drunken brainstorming sessions.

You wouldnt believe some of the crazy ideas I came up with while I and my colleagues were boozin.

Signed,

Paul Wolfowitz.