Edward de Bono described vertical thinking as the traditional way of thinking in which we move forward by a series of sequential and verified steps and lateral thinking as a way of thinking in which one generates new ideas and breaks out of the established patterns in one’s mind. Throughout this reading, I could see the clear difference between the two ways of thinking, and while I could think of examples for vertical thinking (because it was described as the traditional way), I could not think of an example of lateral thinking. Bono’s point could have been made stronger and clearer if he had employed real world examples. Nevertheless, I found the reading enjoyable.
Bono referred to the patterns our mind makes as useful with certain limitations, and while I can understand that it may be limiting to not deviate from a certain routine your mind makes, one could argue that some limitations are more good than bad. In this case, the pattern making mechanism of our mind saves us time and energy. Like a daily routine, this attribute of the brain keeps us sane in that it stops us from incessantly questioning everything in our existence. Perhaps this is why Bono advises the use of both ways of thinking, because if that was not the case, I imagine lateral thinking would do more harm than good.