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De Bono’s Six Frames for Thinking About Information (And can also be about Learning)

Is information overload a real thing? That seems like a stupid question to ask. As of early April 2023, one estimate placed the data newly generated, captured, copied, or consumed at 328.77 million terabytes per day.

So, information overload is indeed frighteningly true. But at the level of the individual, overload happens when we let ourselves be assailed by information flows without a clear understanding of what to do with the information we get.

In his book Six Frames For Thinking about Information, Edward De Bono often regarded as the father of lateral thinking proposes what looks like a sound solution to the problem

He puts forward a framework for pre-deciding what value we want to get out of the information before us. Such deliberate direction of our attention conserves it for issues where it is most needed. Attention after all is considered to be the currency of the new millennium

Extending it, we can apply this framework to what we intend to learn also

Below is a summary of the Six Frames for Thinking about Information (and by extension about learning as well)

Purpose, the triangle frame

Triangles are made up of three points and frequently resemble an arrow pointing in a particular direction. That direction is the purpose. With triangle frame, we can consider the purpose of looking at a piece of information

There are various ways in which information comes to us:

Notice - We ‘notice’ information (see a spelling error in a bill board)
Time filling distraction (Reading a magazine while waiting to see a doctor)
Awareness – We become aware because of an event or circumstances (We plan to travel and hence scan the weather bulletin)
Interest – This can be a general interest (in say, environment) or specific interest (Electric vehicles)
Need and search – Looking at job postings for example
Confirmation or specific questions – Example: Is it true that ….? Or “When do you get pain? Before or after the meal?”

The Triangle frame can be used for laying out clearly the purpose of looking at an information. We could extend that logic to clarify the purpose of what we learn before we start learning anything

Accuracy, the circle frame

Circle conjures up the image of a target or a bull’s eye and is therefore associated with accuracy

“Let’s use the circle frame to check these statistics compiled by front office”

Authority of the source is one way of checking for accuracy
Another method is to verify internal consistencies in the information or data provided
The circle frame can also be invoked for comparing accuracy, checking whether accuracy is adequate and voicing doubts

Applying this to learning we can decide beforehand how precise we want our learning to be. For instance, a general overview is different from precise knowledge. These distinctions are possible using the Circle frame

Point of View, the square frame

A square consists has 4 sides but all are equal. So too the square frame, represents multiple points of view all of which are given equal importance. This allows us to explore a problem more comprehensively, and reduces the risk of going by just one single view

“Before jumping to conclusions, let us do a square frame on this report to see if there are any perspectives we are missing”

The sweeper question in sales “Anything else we are missing?” is an example of square frame at work

In learning, particularly in social and economic sciences square frame is important so that different schools of thought are considered before a conclusion is arrived at

Interest the Heart Frame

Heart is regarded as the symbol of attraction. So, anything that attracts our attention and retains our interest belongs to the heart frame

Surprise, addition to existing body of knowledge, research, special interest and mining for new ideas are 5 sources of collecting information under the heart frame as all of them trigger interest

Studying a subject with passion driven curiosity belongs to the heart frame when applied to learning

Value the diamond frame

Diamonds are symbols of value and hence a diamond frame points to the value of the information being handled

Value could come from:

Satisfaction of informational need
Questions answered
Interest value as the subject fascinates you
Confirmation or contradiction of conclusions you have formed
Opportunity hinting information
Enrichment of existing knowledge

Before investing in a particular domain or branch of learning, applying the diamond frame will facilitate an objective decision by matching value expected against time and money investments

Outcome the slab frame

Slab represents the platform on which something is to be placed and exhibited. Slab frame is used for laying out conclusions.

“Are we satisfied or not satisfied with the conclusions in the attached report?”
“What can be the next steps?”
“So what? Does this really matter?”
“Everyone, please use your slab frame. Then we can compare conclusions”

What are the conclusions we can derive from the learning we just now completed? Where does this take us? are questions that slab frame will raise regarding learning content

Six Frames written more than 3 decades ago has a message that rings so true in this era of ChatGPT and Generative AI:

“We are used to putting all our information into a computer and then letting the computer analyse that information. This is a growing danger. The matters covered by the Six Frames cannot be easily be done by a computer. A computer cannot assess accuracy, interest, neutrality or value. All these involve the human interface”

Isn’t that true of learning as well, when many of our cognitive functions are being outsourced to computers?

“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.”
– Henry Ford –

We look forward to hearing from you

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