Dumb-Thinking Tools

A curated collection of mental models to help you think "dumb".

Ridiculous Idea Generator

A mental model to push past logical barriers to uncover unconventional solutions.

What it is

The Ridiculous Idea Generator is a method for breaking out of rigid thinking by deliberately coming up with ideas that seem completely ridiculous, impractical, or even outright dumb. Counterintuitively, many of history’s greatest innovations started as ideas that seemed absurd at first. By allowing yourself to explore the silly and impractical, you often stumble upon unexpected brilliance.

When to use it

When you’re stuck in a brainstorming rut and need fresh ideas.
When conventional thinking isn’t producing solutions.
When you want to encourage playful, outside-the-box creativity.
When you need to challenge assumptions and find new perspectives.

How it works

Force Yourself to Be Ridiculous

Brainstorm ideas that are intentionally silly, extreme, or impossible.

Ask "What If?" Without Limits

What if we could talk to plants? What if gravity worked in reverse?

Extract the Hidden Genius

Look for surprising insights or useful elements within the absurdity.

Refine and Adapt

Take the silliest ideas and tweak them into something practical.

Test in a Small Way

Experiment with the weirdest idea just to see what happens.

Example 1

Ice Cream for Breakfast Makes You Smarter

Problem

How can we improve brain function in the morning?

Absurd Idea

“What if eating ice cream for breakfast made you smarter?”

Breakthrough

A study in Japan found that people who ate ice cream first thing in the morning had improved mental performance. It turns out the cold temperature shocks the brain into alertness, creating a temporary boost in cognitive function. While not exactly a health recommendation, the idea challenged conventional wisdom and led to insights about how the brain responds to stimuli.

Example 2

The Pool Noodle’s Accidental Success

Problem

A Canadian businessman was trying to develop a new type of pool insulation.

Absurd Idea

“What if we just sold the insulation foam tubes as a toy instead?”

Breakthrough

The product, originally meant for industrial use, turned into the wildly successful "pool noodle"—one of the simplest and most beloved water toys ever. It wasn’t what it was designed for, but the absurd pivot turned out to be a multi-million dollar success.

Why it works

✓ Removes fear of failure by making ridiculousness the goal.

✓ Pushes past logical barriers to uncover unconventional solutions.

✓ Encourages a playful approach to problem-solving that often leads to real innovation.

Tips for applying

👉️ Play the “What If” Game: Ask wild, exaggerated, or impossible questions about your problem.

👉️ Try Reverse Brainstorming: Generate the worst ideas possible, then look for hidden value.

👉️ Use Random Word Association: Pick unrelated words and force a connection to your problem.

👉️ Ask: “If this idea is too stupid to work, why does something similar already exist?”

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