Which of the following is NOT listed as an approach to inventing?

• A. Spending many hours brainstorming
• B. Asking people what they think
• C. Inspiration through an open mind and asking dumb questions
• D. Reading industry reports and analytics

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is recognizing how invention typically gets sparked. Creating something new usually starts with generating a wide range of ideas, testing them with real people, and staying open to unconventional questions. Spending many hours brainstorming fits perfectly because it pushes you to explore possibilities without immediate judgment. Asking people what they think brings in real perspectives and needs, turning assumptions into ideas you can actually pursue. Embracing an open mind and asking dumb questions keeps you from dismissing anything too early and can reveal surprising angles worth pursuing.

Reading industry reports and analytics, while very useful for understanding the market and validating feasibility, is more about gathering data and assessing what already exists rather than actively generating new invention. It informs and guides invention but isn’t itself an approach that directly sparks new ideas in the same way as ideation, customer input, and open-ended inquiry.