brainstorming : Java Glossary

Brainstorming is a group problem solving technique. People toss wild and crazy ideas out. Nobody is allowed to criticise any of the ideas no matter how silly they are. They are not intended as finished solutions, but merely to jog the participants’ thinking into coming up with a fresh viable solution. Especially online, many people refuse to honour the process and immediately start nitpicking offered ideas no matter how many times they are asked to stop. Criticism is just in their bones. They can’t help themselves. It is how they gain their self esteem. Criticism stifles the flow of creativity. Even when there not a formal brainstorming session going on, premature criticism, and especially personal criticism for even bringing up an idea that is less than perfect quickly shuts down the flow of ideas.