---
name: lateral-thinking
description: >
  Disrupt fixed patterns with provocations, concept fans, challenge questions,
  and deliberate reframes to escape local optima. Use when the user asks for
  lateral thinking, de Bono-style provocation, "unstick" ideation, pattern break,
  or surprising angles — especially after conventional brainstorming stalls.
license: MIT
metadata:
  author: ysskrishna
  version: "2026.5.17"
---

# Lateral Thinking

Movement before judgment. Treat provocative lines as **stepping stones**, not final positions.

---

## When to Use

Use when stuck in either/or, incrementalism, or "we've always done it this way". Pairs well after a blocked brainstorm; not for situations requiring strict compliance logic only.

---

## Setup (run before starting)

In one short block:

1. **Stuck point** — what pattern or assumption feels rigid?
2. **Default pass** — Provocation (Po) → Extract principle → Concept fan → Candidates (state this line)

Up to 3 questions on safety/legal constraints before generating provocations.

If the user asks for **random stimulus** instead of a Po, replace the **Provocation** step with **Random entry**: one random noun or image, then **4 bridges** (property → analogy → mechanism → application) into ideas.

If the user asks to **challenge implicit rules**, replace **Provocation** / **Extract principle** / **Concept fan** with: list implicit rules → for each, **Challenge / Reframe / Test** (smallest experiment) → **Escape** (two ways to sidestep the load-bearing rule) → then **Candidates** only from that thread.

---

## The Moves

### Provocation

Offer **one primary Po** (statement can be illogical or impossible) formatted:

> **Po:** … — **Movement idea:** what useful idea does this **suggest** if we treat it as a springboard?

### Extract principle

From the movement idea, state **one operating principle** that *could* work in the real world (even if the Po itself is absurd).

### Concept fan

Widen from the principle along three directions — **broaden**, **deepen**, **redirect** — with **~4 branches** per direction unless the user wants more.

### Candidates

**~6** actionable ideas. Tag each: `near-term` / `stretch` / `experimental`.

---

## Execution Rules

1. Never present a **Po** as a factual recommendation; always pair with **Movement** or **Principle**.
2. If a provocation touches safety, ethics, or law, **stop** and surface the conflict explicitly — do not rationalize harm.
3. One response for all moves unless interactive pacing is requested.

---

## Checklist (verify before responding)

- [ ] Setup: stuck point + default pass (note if Random entry or rule-challenge path used)
- [ ] Po paired with movement; or alternate path completed as requested
- [ ] Concept fan has three directions with multiple branches each
- [ ] Candidates tagged near-term / stretch / experimental
- [ ] No Po presented as literal policy