Re^2: Turning A Problem Upside Down

ack,
Thank for your response. I too use it for actual issues and not just academic problems. It might not be obvious, but I don't think this is a strategy that should be applied frivolously to real world problems. This is why I stressed that this was the real game to me. Conventional wisdom should only be set aside when it makes sense. It became "conventional" and "wisdom" for a reason. I guess what I am trying to say here is that every problem shouldn't be attacked from all angles for the sake of doing it when the obvious straight forward approach works. I do advocate practicing the technique on your own liberally - even as just a thought experiment, because it is a skill that is improved with practice and becomes invaluable when needed for actual problems.

For me, the hardest thing to do...and to get others to do...is to not "tune out" other people's approaches. I have found that the vast majority of "leaps" into new solutions for me have come from ideas (sometimes just small, seemingly insignificant, comments) that came from someone with an entirely different perspective on the problem.

I find that a far easier task than not tuning out someone who is describing an approach I have already considered and dismissed. I have to force myself to keep listening to make sure they do not bring new information to the idea that I hadn't considered before dismissing it. Otherwise, I find myself abruptly cutting them off and explaining why it won't work. In comparison, it is relatively easy for me to listen to a completely new or different idea. I agree though that even that is a struggle when I believe I have already thought of the best solution.

Cheers - L~R

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Re^3: Turning A Problem Upside Down by fullermd (Vicar) on Aug 22, 2009 at 02:34 UTC
It might not be obvious, but I don't think this is a strategy that should be applied frivolously to real world problems. This is why I stressed that this was the real game to me. Conventional wisdom should only be set aside when it makes sense. It became "conventional" and "wisdom" for a reason. "That's brilliant," Cargill said warmly. "A brilliant suggestion, Mr. Staley." "Then we'll do it?" "We will not. [...] And besides, it's a nitwit idea." "Yes, sir." "Nitwit ideas are for emergencies. You use them when you've got nothing else to try. If they work, they go in the Book. Otherwise, you follow the Book, which is largely a collection of nitwit ideas that worked." The Mote In God's Eye Larry Niven & Jerry Pournelle	[reply]
Re^4: Turning A Problem Upside Down by ack (Deacon) on Aug 25, 2009 at 03:58 UTC
Wow! The Moat In God's Eye by Larry Niven & Jerry Pournelle...I read that many, many decades ago and loved it. Larry Niven, in particular, was one of my favorite SF writers. That quote is wonderful and I love it...especially in the context of this thread. And with that quote, IMHO, you very nicely, interestingly and possibly tied together Limbic~Region's thread with one that ELISHEVA started recently regarding "Best Practices." Very nice! ack Albuquerque, NM	[reply]
Re^3: Turning A Problem Upside Down by ack (Deacon) on Aug 25, 2009 at 03:50 UTC
Limbic~RegionWow! You wrote: ...It might not be obvious, but I don't think this is a strategy that should be applied frivolously to real world problems. I absolutely agree. I also agree with your words: ...I do advocate practicing the technique on your own liberally - even as just a thought experiment, because it is a skill that is improved with practice and becomes invaluable when needed for actual problems... You "hit the nail on the head" regarding it being a skill that is improved with practice. That is what I fervently hope for with my nentorees...that with practice they will become better at it. I have been comtemplating your comment about being careful not to apply it "frivously". I think that is an incredibly important observation and one that is always just under my radar screen but that should be more above that screen. I have occasionally seen the newbies trying to use the technique when it isn't necessary or when it is counter-productive. Each time it just felt "wrong" to me but I couldn't quite put my finger on what was making it feel that way to me. Your words crystalized what I guess I felt instinctively...one also has to learn when and how best to apply the technique(s). I think I need to work on some exercises/"posers" (as Number 5 in the movie "Short Circuit" said) to the mentorees to try to help them begin to learn when it is appropriate and beneficial to use the "turn the problem on its head" strategy. Thanks so much for that insight. ack Albuquerque, NM	[reply]