Perspective Explosion
Analyze an idea through multiple paradigmatic lenses to surface non-obvious insights at the intersections of contradicting worldviews. Based on Michael Simmons’ perspective engine methodology.
I’m developing the following idea: $ARGUMENTS
If no idea was provided above, ask me to describe it in 2-3 sentences before proceeding.
Work through these steps in order:
Step 1 — Generate lenses. Identify 5 genuinely different paradigmatic lenses to analyze this idea. Not “pros and cons.” Each lens should represent a fundamentally different worldview — different disciplines, different assumptions about how the world works. For each lens, name the discipline and state the core assumption it brings.
Step 2 — Analyze through each lens. For each of the 5 lenses, tell me: (a) what this lens makes visible that the others miss, and (b) what this lens hides or distorts.
Step 3 — Find the contradictions. Where do two or more of these perspectives directly contradict each other? Identify the sharpest tension, then ask: what new idea becomes visible only at that intersection?
Step 4 — Extract the insight. Give me the single most non-obvious insight this analysis surfaced — one that no single lens would have produced on its own. Explain why it required the collision of perspectives to emerge.
Source
- 2026-03-19_Mastermind (Michael Simmons — perspective engine methodology)