Oblique strategies: Over one hundred worthwhile dilemmas Cards – Import, January 1, 1979

A classic that’s a fun object to use for brainstorming. Admittedly weird to find on Amazon!

After reading other less-than-positive reviews, I took a chance and ordered a copy of these (in)famous cards developed by musician/producer Brian Eno and artist Peter Schmidt. My set of cards arrived via Royal Mail within 2 weeks and a few days from order date (counting holidays and international shipping/customs/etc.). As is more customary in the UK and Europe, the actual card box was not shrink-wrapped but it was securely enclosed in a small shipping container that fit snugly -- I was a little surprised it didn't get lost in transit from the size (estimating 3.75" X 3" X 2")!. The actual card box is made of sturdy cardboard with a black, speckled finish and the title "Oblique Strategies" embossed with "gold" paint/ink on one side of the upper lid and "Brian Eno/Peter Schmidt" embossed on the opposite side of the upper lid. The cards inside are made of plain white cardstock with the "strategies" printed in black ink on one side. I didn't spoil any of my fun by reading all of the cards -- there's one strategy per card and the subtitle is correct in stating there are over 100 of them...I didn't count, and they do not appear to be numbered anywhere.So if someone is expecting some kind of design like a tarot deck, they will be sadly disappointed - I will admit that in the 40-odd years of their existence, I thought Oblique Strategies (OS) were designed like a tarot deck myself with pictures illustrating the strategy on the card in question. In some respects, the cards are a bit of a letdown in that sense, as anyone could have taken a stack of index cards, written some sort of "witty" creative direction on one side, and shuffle them to help direct creativity. Perhaps that is also the "brilliance" in the art behind the deck: "Hey let's market this and have people pay for something they could make themselves." But then again, Apple has made billions selling people products they really don't need, but it's all in the marketing, so in some other respects Eno and Schmidt were ahead of the times. And then again, Eno has ALWAYS been ahead of the times...Interestingly, in the cover photograph of Fripp and Eno's "No Pussyfooting" album, a seated Eno is shown turning over cards while Fripp stares over at him from the side of the clear coffee table he's laying them out on. I strongly recall reading somewhere that someone said these were from his OS deck but looking at the picture again, it's obvious they are some kind of tarot deck (or a similar divinatory deck). This too was probably a marketing ploy, although I believe "No Pussyfooting" came out 2 years before the original release of OS. Of course, he and Schmidt could have developed the cards long before they appeared on the open market. And I will admit my ignorance if there was an illustrated edition originally. I've never seen any images.While they may seem a bit pricey - the seller I bought them from already converted the cost from pounds to dollars - Eno's website sells them for £40 a set, I can see their appeal to creative or otherwise open-thinking individuals. While I personally would use them to combat a "creative block" rather than guiding an entire project, there are many variations on their usage. One doesn't have to be an artist to use them, just like one doesn't have to be an occultist to use tarot cards. I haven't done so yet, but I may try them out on a future project to see how things go.

An interesting choice of a "carddeck" with surprising possibilities for alternative thinking.

These are not usual adages or “good quotes”… they are good prompts to inspire new ways of approaching work! A treasure box!

These are so inspiring. We pull one weekly. We write our card for the week on our white board in the kitchen to inspire nee ways of thinking.

Perfect condition.The ideal gift for my rock star brother.

Excellent cards especially for musicians who would value some help if stuck

I don't understand why I am still hearing about this. I sent a grateful thank to you weeks ago!