Comments on: Thinking

By: Abhay Kumar Singh

Abhay Kumar Singh — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 18:31:41 +0000

Mind can be imagined as a big flat ground with varying sizes of plateaus, with the plateaus height proportional to our dislikes. A thought can be imagined as a wave of water. Water naturally flows in the direction of nearest slope. A thought is of two type: a) control thought and b) data thought. A control thought has the capability to change the plateaus of mind. Like a draino used to clear clogged drains. The beauty of designing a control-thought is to know the characteristics of “clog” elements in the target minds. A planned sequence of these control thoughts can used to train a mind for systematic thinking in the desired way.

Abhay

By: Venky Ravirala

Venky Ravirala — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 00:00:37 +0000

Thank you for the discussion. I find your points to be refreshingly different and actionable.

Although I understand the intended usage, I find cliches like “think out-side the box”, “positive thinking”, “brainstorming”, “think like a genius”, and “think by putting yourself in other persons shoes” are not really effective in guiding the thought process.

One of my philosopher teachers said the following (which I accept as critical guidance for effective thought process):
(a) having thoughts is different from thinking;
(b) recognize when our thoughts have us versus when we are having to think;
(c) we cannot NOT HAVE thoughts, but there are many situations we are unable to think; and
(d) our “mood” influences and determines the space for our thoughts and vice versa.

What underlies these and your points is that having a purpose (or multiple) directs our intention and hence focuses our thoughts, and having purposeful thoughts is “thinking.”

Regards,
Venky

By: Geetha Manichandar

Geetha Manichandar — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 07:42:37 +0000

Dear Mr. Banerjee,

How effective is “Brainwriting” as a technique to generate new ideas when compared to “Brainstorming” please? Would love to know more about this from you please.

Thanks and regards,

Geetha

By: Geetha Manichandar

Geetha Manichandar — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:01:08 +0000

Hi Lubna,

“Learning from Unusual Sources”
One of our favourite lessons from the Gardener – “The Power to Receive” – where our minds will have to be like valleys!

Best regards,

Geetha

By: Lubna

Lubna — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 09:12:11 +0000

Hi Kalyan,
Thank you so much for answering the questions which I had raised. Other than Edward De Bono’s concepts, I was not aware of the other thinking tools. I love the idea of “Learning from Unusual Sources”, if we keep a truly open mind, we can learn so many things from so many different people. However application of this concept does not appear to be very easy, because it is up to each individual to practise it, unlike De Bono’s concept where people, say during a discussion, can don a particular coloured hat and think on those specific lines.
There is one particular liftman in our office complex who inspite of having such a boring job is always smiling and always wishes us a cheerful good night, at the end of our long day. I mean, I learnt a lot from his attitude.
I also learn a lot from the MindTree blogs. No wonder, I am a regular visitor. So is Geetha and she is so well read that I gain a lot from her comments as well.
Cheers,
Lubna

By: Geetha Manichandar

Geetha Manichandar — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 07:37:31 +0000

Dear Mr. Banerjee,

Point No. 8: Disruptive Innovation (Christensen).
Am currently reading the book “Jalebi Management” by Mr. Shombit Sengupta and he has also spoken very interestingly about how ‘discomfort brings innovation.’

I googled “Nine Windows” and it is sure very interesting. Thank you for telling us about it!

But what I love most is your concept of “Learning from Unusual Sources”! Here’s where Howard Gardner’s “Synthesizing” and “Creating” minds especially really come into play?

Sorry to strike a cynical note, but all said and done, like The Gardener said in his post “Of Groupthink And False Harmony” of 8th Jan’09, I guess as long as Groupthink is rampant in our society, we are not going to be able to make much progress?

Thanks and regards,

Geetha

By: Geetha Manichandar

Geetha Manichandar — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:49:33 +0000

Dear Mr. Banerjee,

Thank you very much !

John Adair in his book “The Art of Creative Thinking – How to be innovative and develop great ideas” has also spoken about his new concept -”the Depth Mind”. He has said: “The fact that the unconscious mind plays a part in decision-making,
problem-solving and creative thinking has been known for some time. This dimension I have named ‘the Depth Mind’, and it is arguably the most
important element in creative thinking.”

Also, “A person is judged not by his or her answers but by the questions they ask.”

But are children in our schools, especially at the Primary level, encouraged to ask questions?

Thanks and regards,

Geetha