What does it mean to be "inside" the box?

Question

So basically, they always tell you to think "outside" the box. But what is the box? And how do you know when you get outside of it?

And what do you do then?

Answer 1

Thinking inside the box is usually defined by the attitude that there are set parameters that one cannot go beyond......thinking outside the box offers unusual answers to problematic questions....

yah, I'm pretty sure that people that think outside the box know that they are there......what then......well they utilize what ever is at their disposal to gain solutions....(at least one would hope).....it's sort of like evolution.....looking beyond ones self for the answers to life......

Answer 2

Lately, thinking outside the box has been very much inside the box.

Answer 3

The "box" is standard thought. Staying inside the box is safe, but also keeps you from exploring new ideas. Thinking outside the box means you can think differently than what is considered by society to be "normal."

I see some of the EXTREMELY militant atheists, as well as a majority of Christian fundamentalists, who think inside their respective boxes and never venture out of them.

Answer 4

Marketers & Government Cencus officals will put everyone in a box. Questionairs like: Male or Female ... Religion ... Career ... basically anything quantifiable and something that can be charted.

Most people get out of the box and find that they like to be themselves, but hate to be alone. Usually entrapeauners are outta of the box.

Answer 5

Being "inside" the box means that the person is not taking the risk of developing any new ideas on a subject, other than the typical ones.

Answer 6

There are way too many "world champions" (titlists). I honestly don't know who to respect as a champ because guys are becoming champions without fighting the best in a division. Mosley was rated #1 Welterweight, but Pacquiao avoided him and still became champ by fighting Cotto for another (equal title). Guys are becoming champions without fighting a champion in that weight class (Pacquiao/ Margarito). Guys are becoming champions without fighting in the weight class, instead fighting at lower catchweights that dehydrate the champs or opponents (Cotto/ Pacquiao, Margarito/ Pacquiao). I don't respect the champions unless they are "UNDISPUTED champions, unified champions or Ring Magazine champions (because the Ring requires that the #1 rated guy fight the #2 guy to be champ or beat the established Ring champ). Super 6 did not go exactly as plan, but love it's objective of unifying the titles in the division. Boxing needs this.

Answer 7

Get a refridgerator box and get inside it and look around. Now get outside of the box and look around.

Answer 8

Thinking inside the box is "conventional" thinking.
Outside the box unconventional, unique solutions, etc.

Answer 9

Advertising execs like to use this term to push their employees to think of new innovative ways to sell products such as beer and detergent.

Answer 10

its like being 'off the car'
boys get 'off the car' when they see a cute girl walking on the street