CF Dictionary · Error Correction & Learning
Brainstorming
A relaxed, divergent phase of idea generation, deliberately separated from critical review. CF uses it for conjectures.
Brainstorming is the divergent phase of idea generation, where you produce many candidates without filtering. CF treats it as essential and deliberately separated from critical review.
Why separate brainstorming from criticism
- Criticism kills creativity. If you criticise as you brainstorm, you'll suppress ideas.
- Quantity breeds quality. More candidates → more chances of a good one.
- Later filtering works. You can apply rigorous criticism once you have candidates.
How to brainstorm well
- Set a goal. What are you trying to generate ideas for?
- Lower your filter. Don't worry about quality yet.
- Quantity first. Aim for many ideas, even bad ones.
- Build on others. "Yes, and…" rather than "no, but…".
- Switch to critical review when the brainstorm phase ends.
CF-style brainstorming in practice
Temple's basketball-court video practice example:
"First, consider the goal in the clip. What are they trying to accomplish? What's their purpose? If you're unsure, brainstorm many things that could be the goal, then go back over your list and try to narrow it down."
"Brainstorming means listing a bunch of possibilities without worrying very much about whether they're right. The goal is to relax the quality filter you apply to your thoughts so you're more free to be creative. You create a greater separation between coming up with ideas and thinking critically about them. After brainstorming you can do a critical review as a separate activity."