I sometimes start group solution brainstorming sessions by announcing “So, here’s a Very Bad Idea for how we might go about solving this problem. [Explanation] This is, as I say, a Very Bad Idea, for several reasons. Does someone have a better one?” It no longer startles me how often people then proceed to build on the VBI and turn it into something viable.
(nods) Damned straight.
I sometimes start group solution brainstorming sessions by announcing “So, here’s a Very Bad Idea for how we might go about solving this problem. [Explanation] This is, as I say, a Very Bad Idea, for several reasons. Does someone have a better one?” It no longer startles me how often people then proceed to build on the VBI and turn it into something viable.