Concebening

Concebening is a neologism used to describe a deliberate, structured process of idea generation and evaluation that deliberately alternates between concealment and disclosure of aspects of an idea. It is positioned as a cognitive and collaborative technique intended to manage bias, promote critical scrutiny, and foster more robust conclusions in group settings or individual reasoning. The term does not have a single standardized definition and is mainly encountered in speculative discussions rather than as a formal methodology.

Origins and etymology are informal. Concebening appears to have emerged in early 21st-century discourse around creativity and epistemology, spreading primarily through online forums and experimental writing rather than through established peer‑reviewed literature. No consensus exists on a canonical originator, and several commentators have proposed different etymologies or justifications for the term’s use.

Conceptual scope and mechanisms. At its core, concebening envisions cycles of idea generation followed by strategic withholding of certain details and assumptions, then selective disclosure to test how such details influence judgment. The concealment phase is intended to reduce premature convergence on a single solution, while the disclosure phase invites critique and refinement. Practitioners emphasize explicit rules for how and when to reveal aspects of an idea, as well as structured reflection on how disclosures shift group dynamics and reasoning quality.

Applications. The concept is discussed in the context of education, design thinking, policy deliberation, and creative writing, where managing cognitive load and bias can be valuable. It is described as a complement to brainstorming, debiasing techniques, and constructive debate rather than a replacement for them.

Criticism. Critics argue that concebening lacks a clear operational definition, empirical support, and widely accepted procedures. Some worry it could be used to manipulate discussion or obscure important information rather than promote genuine understanding.

See also. Ideation, brainstorming, cognitive bias, design thinking.