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.