Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

Sounds a bit like the Socratic method [1], just used for making sure everyone is aligned with the fundamental goals.

As someone who's recently been put in a position to make sure everyone's aligned (and failing quite a bit at it), it sounds like genius, in my opinion.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socratic_method



It doesn't seem like the same thing as asking dumb questions to uncover the truth that nobody has yet synthesized.

When you already (think you) know the answer, then it's a pedagogical technique. That's ok unless you happen to be wrong about the answer.


The Socratic method is where they eventually realize the answer, not one where you make them all feel frustrated before finally revealing it.


Wielded w/o skill, the Socratic Method comes of patronizing and trite.

To stay respectful, it is polite to negotiate with all participants in its use.


To be fair, Socrates' goal was to make them realize they didn't actually have the answer, they only thought they did.


I assume frustration levels for both come down to the soft skills used to run the process.




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: