'NO is the basic tool of the logic system. YES is the basic tool of the belief system. PO is the basic tool of the creative system. In the past, ideas have always lived longer than people. Once they were established, ideas would be changed only slowly and over several generations. But today technology and science have so speeded up the rate of change in the world that for the first time ever people actually live longer than ideas. This means that for the first time people need to change their ideas within their lifetime in order to keep up with the world.'
Edward de Bono was a Maltese physician, author, inventor, and consultant. He is best known as the originator of the term lateral thinking (structured creativity) and the leading proponent of the deliberate teaching of thinking in schools.
I had read the concept of PO and lateral thinking earlier from his other books. This book helped me revisit the concepts again, and I must say that my understanding has deepened.
There are many wonderful examples in the book, and you can definitely apply them, if you give it time. Some of the practice exercises at the end were quite a challenge for me, but I was glad to have attempted them.
The book is meant for anyone who wants to have different ways to think about a particular topic.