| WHAT
IS NON-LINEAR THINKING?
Non-Linear Thinking (NLT) is perhaps a complex description of what is intended to be a “simple” thought process to help identify unconventional BUT PRACTICAL solutions to seemingly complex problems. The origin and genesis Of Non Linear Thinking clearly lies within “Lateral Thinking” – a term coined by Dr. Edward D. Bono who called it amongst other definitions an “Insight tool”. Today “Lateral Thinking “ is in the Oxford Dictionary as part of our vocabulary & has been responsible for giving a tangibility to the thinking process. Non-Linear thinking however is not intended to be intellectually revolutionary, as is lateral thinking because it does not have the intent or the capability to formalize its concept as a teaching. It is positioned merely as a holistic resource available within every decision maker for use, wherever complexity is perceived. The application logic is based on Dr. Bono’s definitions of Lateral thinking which is distinguishable to Vertical thinking (Referred to as Linear Logic in this writing, and is our conventional thinking or sequential logic) AS described by Dr. Bono :- QUOTE: · In Conventional or Vertical Thinking – the thinking moves only if there is a direction. · In Lateral thinking the thought process moves in order to “generate” a direction. END QUOTE
Non-Linear Thinking is intended to be a simple need based thought process that can help EVOLVE CREATIVE SOLUTIONS BASED ON SELF REVEALING INDICATORS. NLT requires LESSER SKILLS & assumes it to be a basic skill available within the majority. It merely requires the mental willingness to train and curb the reflex of our thought process; ingrained through our formal learning systems that have been based on Linear Logic.
Its ONLY precondition is ACCEPTANCE OF ENVIRONMENT and WILLINGNESS FOR SELF CHANGE. It can be applied by those who ACCEPT that the output and yield from their old inputs, their erstwhile successful efforts and resources have started to fall or become NON LINEAR! Those who are in denial of change or seek a return of the “good old days” would not require NLT. The WILLINGNESS to ACCEPT that there is uncertainty with regard to the future & complexity is an inherent feature within the issue for which solutions are being sought. NLT should be instinctively comfortable for most ASIANS because it is inherently “holistic”. Asians would however have to curb their natural reflexes, to get into PAST DETAILS or PAST ANALYSES, because THESE are not very critical within NLT!! The principles of Non Linear Thinking would perhaps be uncomfortable for those who are accustomed to seeking to Control their environment. Conversely it empowers those who are feel economically disadvantaged by LINEAR LOGIC, because they are short of resources or have small turnover or output when compared to competition. Non Linear Thinking is a critical tool that can help when “planning within uncertainty, to find solutions to complex issues that have now become dilemmas”. It is well suited to manage conflict, and identify implementation strategies that minimize opportunities for conflict. LINEAR LOGIC has benefited the Western and Developed Nations who have experienced huge LINEAR growth and their corresponding benefits. THIS has resulted in the establishment of SYSTEMS where Output and Consumption are the principal measures and milestones that are perceived to be the expressions of growth. Unfortunately THIS logic is unsuitable for the BILLIONS within ASIA and perhaps more so for South Asia. Democratic Economies like INDIA are only NOW experiencing the benefits of their linear growth cycle with rise in their income and economic activity. BUT THIS GROWTH was initiated by the play of free market forces prevailing in the WEST. These have allowed a normally PROTECTIVE and INSULAR EAST to derive benefits based on their competitive advantage of low labor costs. The exploding need for LOW COST goods to INCREASE CONSUMPTION WITHIN THE WESTERN ECONOMIES, have initiated the FIRST phase of linear growth being experienced by the East and South.
The developed economies have now started to feel the decreasing returns from their conventional resources and their deployment based on LINEAR LOGIC. They NOW allocate maximum economic value to creativity and uniqueness. This is a paradigm shift of focus, many have yet to adopt, in the developed World where the MANTRA has always been linear growth in terms of VOLUME and mass STANDARDIZATION!!
Paradoxically JUST when the developed economies have started to incorporate creativity as one of the primary resources that can create MORE added value, compared to other LINEAR INPUTS; the South Asian countries like INDIA are being SOLD on the past successes of the quantitative Linear Era. India and South Asia will commit a grave error if it falls into the complex trap of trying to become EQUALS, or to create similar societies as in the developed World. It would be a self defeating exercise to base socio-economic progress in India as a per capita quantitative emulation of Western Linear Logic.
Though Asia has had brilliant leaders who have developed successful economies (like Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore and Mahathir Mohamed of Malaysia); they had been pre-occupied with ANTI –WEST rhetoric erroneously referring to the “invasion” of Western Culture and capitalist economics . They should have rather CHIDED the ASIAN INTELLECTUALS for their inability to “design and develop ASIA centric systems for MODERN ASIA evolved from within- our unique cultural past & unique environment. These solutions have to be based on our limited resources, disparate incomes & within this very different non linear era”
This writing is an effort to initiate a thought process that is SELF-CENTRIC based on the UNIQUE ENVIRONMENT and RESOURCES of the specific economy, corporate or individual unit seeking solutions! |