We should always recognize that being cautious, and risk – adverse, has its negative features.

Great point.

I can recall Hugh’s timing on the ‘London scene’ was exceptional and he has proved to be a great ally to many trying to forge their way in the new economy.

No doubt you’ve also read Innovator’s Solution by now though I’d like to suggest another book you might enjoy:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Evolutionary-Leadership-Peter-Merry/dp/0615269044/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1244656814&sr=1-10

I confess I’ve not read it myself yet though am familiar with the subject matter having attended a workshop with Peter and George Por that helped catalyse Peter’s journey towards this book.

I’d be keen to learn your opinion of it in due course, fingers crossed you’ll thank me ;-)

I had been hoping that your first ‘post-self-imposed exile’ blog post would be Four Pillars, but shall continue to wait patiently.

I’ve been wondering more about what I feel is a global lateral thinking defecit. It’s a great time for innovation, but I call it a defecit because I think we the world’s citizens need lateral thinking skills (and thinking skills in general) more than ever.

From what I’ve seen (in myself and others) one limiting factor is social conception, and more importantly, implicit social conceptions that we internalize. Implicitly (perhaps because of EvPsych explainable reasons) we may not feel we have the “right” to try something new, try something new, unless it’s already consistent with internal and external expectations.

It’s sad: many times, in our own minds, we are not even free to dream over the vast array of possibilities!

I guess this is where seeming absurdity comes in. Seeming absurd undertakings are not necessarily driven by profit or popularity, and are thus insulated from the implicit assumptions attached to them. A daily dose of absurdity, in some sense, can act as the supplement for our lateral thinking deficiency. And as time goes on, it stands to demolish assumed and untrue contradictions, and challenge our notions of what is possible.

I’d never head of Clayton Christensen; thanks for introducing him to me.