Thinking Toys

A coworker of mine was just complaining how the cleaning crew had thrown away his bent-up paperclip that he played with while thinking this last weekend.  This made me start to wonder what I play with when thinking about a problem while programming.  It turns out that I actually have 2 different items. 

My main "thinking toy" is a pen, funny enough.  I, for some reason, like to take the cap off & on many times during the day.  This has, unfortunately, led to the pen cap not staying on that well, and as such I've had many run-ins with the ink.  My second "toy" is a stress ball that looks like a car.  Most of the bumper paint has been worn off, so its obviously had some good use.

What types of "thinking toys" do you use, and have you actually stopped and thought - "Why am I playing with this?"

5 Comments

  • "... have you actually stopped and thought - "Why am I playing with this?"



    this could be the funniest thing i've ever read in a blog.

  • My "thinking toy"? Simple... whatever object happens to be in reach of my hands at the time. Pens, scissors, and pretty much any other small object.

  • By and large I use the pen. I normally break the little clip off the pen cap after having it for 5, 10 minutes top. I also wind up chewing on the pen cap quite a bit. (This is probably a side effect of quitting smoking.) Also I wind up playing with the stapler more often than is probably normal. I used to play with some scissors until I cut my hand. :)

  • Not the most interesting thing, but I tend to grab a football or basketball when I need to think. In fact, the all time greatest way for me to get my thoughts in line is go to a gym and shoot free throws.



    I don't know, I guess I just feel more comfortable with a basketball or football in my hands while racking my brain.

  • Binder clip - medium size...

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