Synectics
1. Which is wiser? a pen or a pencil?
A pencil is definitely wiser. The pen is so pretentious and immature. He’s all about the look of the page. He’s always colorful often leaving a mess behind. The pencil isn’t concerned with these things. He just wants to get the job done and if he makes a mistake he fixes it with his rear end.
2. Which is easier to forgive? a street or a sidewalk?
A sidewalk is definitely more forgivable. A street lies there in all its glory as cars buses and trucks pass through him. He’s the center of attention; the sidewalks are just his helpers. The sidewalks hold mere pedestrians often without a job or a better means of transportation. The street is king while the sidewalks are humble peasants. Though a tree might crack a sidewalk in half which might cause you to fall off your bike, cut the sidewalk some slack, it has it rough enough.
3. Which is smarter? a clock or a calendar?
A calendar is smarter than a clock. The clock is purely interested in the next 12 hours of its life. He lives in the moment. The calendar goes months into the future and plans way ahead. The calendar knows what its going to do on June 4 2013. Though a clock is more exciting, a calendar beats it in wits any day.
4. Which is more fearful? new or old?
Old is much more fearful. Old has been lying around for a while and has been around the block a few times. Maybe Old has seen some of his buddies get thrown away. New is fresh and doesn’t know any better. He has this adolescent confidence that nothing can go wrong. Old is cynical and knows that at any moment, he might be replaced by New.
5. Which is braver? an hour or a year?
Hour is braver. He has such a small window of opportunity. While Year can take his time to make a plan and assess situations in order to ultimately leave his mark, Hour is spontaneous and makes quick decisions. He has to rise to the occasion and (in sports terms) be clutch.
6. Which has more pride? an entrance or an exit?
Exit has more pride. When entrance is introduced, he is shy. He might not know anyone. He is a stranger. When he becomes Exit, he does it with confidence and showmanship. He has made his impression on everyone he has come in contact with and has a higher self esteem. For example, Entrance is a freshman; Exit is a senior.
7. Which is like a legend? a mirror or glass?
Glass is like a legend. Mirror is too clear and too present to be a legend. Glass is obscure. The image is barely visible. You can only say what you think the image in the glass looks like. It is too transparent to look at clearly. A legend is barely visible. It is something that has made an impression on your thoughts but is just a hazy memory or a haunting story, just like Glass.
8. Which is more suspenseful? rain or snow?
Snow holds more suspense. Rain comes often and comes down with force. Snow is a special occasion and it takes its time to gently fall on the pavement. When it snows, little kids run to the window and they eagerly await the notice from school that they have been waiting for all year. Snow is by far more suspenseful.
9. Which is more trustworthy? history or literature?
History is much more trustworthy. Literature is just a display of one person’s opinion or perspective. History is written down for the purpose of being trustworthy. Literature is meant to entertain. Literature is a subject of one man’s passion and everyone knows that passion may skew the truth.
10. Which is more useful? a friend or an enemy?
A friend is obviously more useful. Enemies can only do you harm. God put friends on this earth to make your life better. He put enemies on this earth to challenge you.