Cognitive Scaffold

Preparing your thinking workspace

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MENTAL MODEL · M0210

Oblique Strategies

Oblique Strategies
StructureHigh supportLogic
Included
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

A set of cards designed by Brian Eno, each containing an instruction to break creative deadlocks through lateral thinking (e.g., "Honor your error as a hidden intention", "Remove specifics and keep the general").

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

Inspiration lottery. When creative work hits a dead end, don't force it. Randomly draw an 'Oblique Strategy' and force the brain to execute this non-logical instruction, jumping out of the current mental rut.

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

Draw a non-logical instruction card, forcing the brain to leave its current thought track, using lateral constraints to break creative deadlocks.

MINIMUM ACTION

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Source support: Explicit

  • link
    en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oblique_StrategiesZH · Explicit
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