Perspectives

Using 'Lateral Thinking' as described by Edward De Bono is a method for coming up with new ideas. But just because something is new doesn't mean it is any good. When I used to teach students about how to brainstorm, some would come back with completely off-the-wall ideas (usually involving some sexual deviation) and expect praise. I would often have to say 'yes that is a lateral idea and yes it is creative and yes it is totally original but I don't think the world is ready for a .............. yet'. In conclusion lateral thinking is a way of going off on a tangent but the clever thinkers look back from that tangent at, where we the rest of us, are now and present ideas that the World can accept. So the best new ideas are not out-of-the-blue but a step on from where we are now, just seen from a new perspective.