Playfulness and inventiveness are very closely related. Probably nowhere as closely as in Halfbakery, an online, collaboratively authored collection of ideas and inventions that are, well, half-baked.

Without the requirement of having actually to build, draw, trademark, patent, or even test out ideas, Halfbakery leaves its contributors and readers deliciously free to invent the sublimely ridiculous. Take, for example, the concept of Detachable Sock Stripes: "Detachable sock stripes turn plain white socks into exciting striped socks. Simply don your socks and fasten the stripes around your ankles." And, while your exploring this concept in its clearly deserved depth, take a look at Homing Socks that find each other, or the immensely clever and sorely needed Inside Out Socks. Along with socks, consider the merits of an Inflatable Tie: "To amuse yourself during interminable meetings you can discreetly inflate and deflate it, by messing with the pump controls... or deliberately overinflate it, until it explodes. You can also take it off, inflate the other compartment, that runs around the neck, and use it for beach baseball, or a fake riot control baton. Other uses: In a car crash, if you can inflate it in time; As a neck support splint afterwards, if you can't; As a life preserver, should your airliner ditch into water; As a neck support pillow, on long flights."

The Halfbakery is a community effort, supporting dialogue as wholeheartedly as it supports creativity and sheer silliness. It is a gift to all of us.