Abstract: Systems and methods of manipulating and transforming data and sharing ideas include a map comprised of one or more diocards. Each diocard represents an individual idea and has the same group of functions including a distinctions function, a systems function, a relationships function, and a perspectives function. The distinctions function enables definition of the individual idea by attributes the individual idea is comprised of and by non-attributes the individual idea is not comprised of. The systems function enables definition of the individual idea as part of a whole or a whole that can be broken into parts. The relationships function enables definition of the individual idea as having a relationship with one or more different ideas and that this relationship may include action and reaction-like properties. The perspectives function enables definition of the individual idea as a point having a view with respect to one or more different ideas.

Abstract: Systems and methods of manipulating and transforming data and sharing ideas comprise one or more diocards and a map comprised of the one or more diocards. Each diocard represents an individual idea and has the same group of functions including a distinctions function, a systems function, a relationships function, and a perspectives function. The distinctions function enables definition of the individual idea by attributes the individual idea is comprised of and by non-attributes the individual idea is not comprised of, thereby creating libraries of interconnected ideas that range from near-exact synonyms to near-far synonyms to antonyms to totally unrelated concepts. The systems function enables definition of the individual idea as part of a whole or a whole that can be broken into parts. The relationships function enables definition of the individual idea as having a relationship with one or more different ideas and that this relationship may include action and reaction-like properties.

Abstract: A method of teaching thinking skills and knowledge acquisition using an educational toy is disclosed. In a first step, a user chooses at least one idea variable. In a second step, the user chooses a process from a group having a distinctions process, a systems process, a relationships process, and a perspectives process. In a third step, the process is carried out on the idea variable. In a fourth step, the user determines whether any additional processes need to be carried out and if yes, the user returns to selecting a process.

Abstract: A method of teaching thinking skills and knowledge acquisition using an educational toy is disclosed. In a first step, a user chooses at least one idea variable. In a second step, the user chooses a process from a group having a distinctions process, a systems process, a relationships process, and a perspectives process. In a third step, the process is carried out on the idea variable. In a fourth step, the user determines whether any additional processes need to be carried out and if yes, the user returns to selecting a process.