Brainstorming

Abstract

When a group of people get together to produce ideas, solve problems, etc., often the first thing that happens to the ideas or possible solutions put forward is that they are criticized, torn apart or dismissed from further discussion. Sometimes an idea may deserve this fate, but often they are useful, interesting or appealing ideas that have a few minor ‘faults’ which could be remedied if we were to try. In this situation the best that is likely to happen is that an idea from which we might have developed a solution is lost, one hopes only temporarily. Unfortunately this may deter the idea-giver from contributing fully to the group; the group may then lose a potentially valuable resource. At worst the idea-giver turns against the group, or against the member responsible for the criticism. We then have what Synectics call a ‘Revenge Cycle’. The idea-giver retreats into his’ shell’ thinking mainly about ‘crucifying’ his opponents the next time they speak (see Chapter 4).