Going into Depth

 I have found recently that the 'depth' metaphor needs to be expanded a bit to include circumspection. We tend to associate depth with the idea of going extensively into a topic, when in fact, sometimes depth comes about by linking the topic seemingly randomly to other things one may know or think about. This free association does not necessarily arise from a systematic approach, but it often happens by having the freedom to play with different combinations to see what works best.
    At work, for instance, I often try to solve a problem by trying to get as clear a definition and understanding of the problem as possible. This is the 'analytic' approach, and it parallels the efforts of logical positivists to find clarity on the meaning of a term--perhaps without realizing that the meaning of any term is never isolated, but exists in relation to other shifting terminologies. What I explored today at work was the idea of broadening problem solving by considering a variety of permutations of actions, from a variety of angles. Rather than trying to delve into a key 'problem' related to a topic, it might be that understanding comes from gently unearthing the topic and seeing its contours as they are, from a variety of perspectives. Approaching problems with this attitude of gentle inquiry changes the way we look at so-called 'problems'. It's not the deficiency or the holes we are looking for but the presence that we appreciate and admire. This is a different way of looking at depth that seems to emphasize a horizontal discovery of how things interconnect with each other.