Oblique Strategies

Oblique Strategies is a set of cards created in 1975 by musician/artist Brian Eno and painter Peter Schmidt. Each card contains a phrase or cryptic remark meant to break creative blocks and encourage lateral thinking. The deck consists of over 100 cards, and users draw them at random when faced with a dilemma or stuck point in their creative process. The statements range from practical suggestions to abstract concepts, functioning as creative prompts or alternative approaches. The cards have been used by musicians, artists, writers and other creative practitioners for decades, with multiple editions published. Eno continues to use them in his own work and creative collaborations. The work explores themes of chance operations, non-linear problem solving, and the role of randomness in artistic creation. It stands as an influential tool for disrupting habitual thinking patterns and accessing new creative territories.

Readers say these creativity-focused cards serve as thought-provoking prompts that help break through creative blocks. Many mention using them for music, art, writing, and problem-solving. What readers liked: - Unpredictable, non-linear approach to sparking ideas - Physical cards feel meaningful compared to digital versions - Can be used solo or in group settings - Cryptic/abstract instructions lead to unique interpretations What readers disliked: - High price point ($50+) for a deck of cards - Some find the prompts too vague or abstract - Limited availability, often out of print - Cards can show wear quickly Notable reader comment: "Used these in the studio when stuck on a track. Drew 'Honor thy error as a hidden intention' and it completely changed my perspective." - Musician on Reddit No formal ratings exist on major platforms as this is a specialty item primarily sold through Eno's website and art dealers. Most discussion occurs in music forums and creativity blogs.

A Book of Surrealist Games by Mel Gooding A collection of creative exercises and prompts developed by Surrealist artists to unlock unconscious thought processes and generate unexpected artistic outcomes.

The Practice of Creativity by George M. Prince A systematic method for breaking mental blocks and generating solutions through specific techniques derived from group problem-solving sessions.

The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron A structured path of exercises and practices designed to unblock creativity and establish new patterns of artistic thinking.

Impro: Improvisation and the Theatre by Keith Johnstone A set of techniques and exercises from theatrical improvisation that transfer to other creative disciplines and challenge conventional thinking patterns.

Lateral Thinking by Edward de Bono A framework of tools and methods for approaching problems from non-linear perspectives to generate innovative solutions.

🎵 The "book" is actually a deck of cards containing cryptic phrases and prompts, designed to help artists break creative blocks and think differently about their work. 🎨 Co-creator Peter Schmidt was a visual artist and educator who collaborated with Brian Eno on several projects, including artwork for Eno's album "Before and After Science." 💡 The first edition was published in 1975 with only 500 copies. Today, original first editions are highly sought-after collectors' items, selling for thousands of dollars. 🎹 David Bowie used Oblique Strategies during the recording of his "Berlin Trilogy" albums, particularly while working on "Heroes" with Brian Eno. 🔄 Each new edition of Oblique Strategies contains slightly different cards, with some prompts being removed and new ones added. The most recent (fifth) edition was released in 2001.