I've ordered the Mental Ice Breaker, by Cobalt Magic -- see one for example at http://www.thecentertear.com/full/Magic-Tricks-Magic-Books-Magic-DVDs-Mental-Ice-Breaker-Cobalt-Magic__2162.htm.

There has been a discussion on the MC at http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewtopic.php?topic=67244&forum=109, but it doesn't really address my question, which is whether there is another way to present the props other than "tiles" which would still enable one to do the effect.

This would necessarily involve home-made alternatives, unless there are appropriate readily available objects.

Any ideas?

For example, if in a restaurant or bar, it would seem that coasters would be normally found objects. Also,

. . . (oops fingers were too fast)

Also, any ideas about good uses for this effect in a non-mentalism context? Seems like a great trick for boy scouts or young students.

Regards

Not having seen the tiles themselves to know what they look like, there are several ways you might take it, provided the materials were available for you to make the needed two tiems.
I can think of "stones" from location (wherever- on this planet, or another) with unusual properties;
One could be from someone who did not go to the happy place after death, as evidenced by the "heat" projected onto the ice, etc.;
One could use them like a "finding device" or sort of "lie detector effect.
k

K -- these are great ideas. A lot of food for thought.

Thanks.