Tom Schmidt

1. What are 3 quirky, unusual analogies to explain [your phenomenon of interest] . See my ChatGPT example prompt and result .


2. Propose 5 questions a reader would be surprised to find answered on [your topic X] . See my ChatGPT example .


3. Who are 7 surprising, odd historical figures to cite as examples of [X]. For each individual include a detailed expla

... See more

• “Offer 5 surprising, bold suggestions for specific ways to improve the following piece of writing. Along with each suggestion, include a detailed, creative explanation with your rationale.”


• “Act as an unpredictable, brilliant writing coach who offers strange, quirky , creative suggestions. Provide specific, granular input.”


• “Detail novel topic idea

... See more

Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more

You’re reading the August 21, 2025 edition of Wonder Tools , a weekly newsletter to help you discover what’s most useful. I’m Jeremy Caplan , and this week I’m excited to be meeting the new graduate class of 2026 at the City University of New York’s Newmark Graduate School of Journalism, where I teach. I... See more

Author and screenwriter Ray Bradbury on the difference between critics and creators:

"Those who don't build must burn."

"We often think that we want an open road and the ability to choose any direction for ourselves. But sometimes, what we need is a tunnel that can reduce our choices and send us in a focused direction."

"Attack where they're weakest, not strongest."

“You may accumulate a vast amount of knowledge but it will be of far less value to you than a much smaller amount if you have not thought it over for yourself; because only through ordering what you know by comparing every truth with every other truth can you take complete possession of your knowledge and get it into your power.”

People think good decision-making is about being right all the time. It's not. It's about lowering the cost of being wrong and changing your mind.

When the cost of mistakes is high, we're paralyzed with fear. When the cost of mistakes is low, we can move fast and adapt.

Make mistakes cheap, not rare.

The walls you put up to protect yourself work to imprison you.