When Straight Lines Don’t Fit Curved Minds

[GHA]

Linear thinking and linear learning work well in structured, rule-based environments. They follow a clear sequence — step A leads to step B, which leads to step C. This approach is often effective for neurotypicals, where predictability and uniformity help maintain focus and productivity.

For many neurodivergent individuals, however, the mind does not travel in straight lines. Ideas branch, loop back, or connect across seemingly unrelated domains. The process is not about moving from A to B — it’s about exploring how A links to Z, then circling back to C with a deeper, more nuanced understanding. This is why conventional, linear teaching and training can feel limiting. It compresses a dynamic thought process into a narrow track.

Masking — the act of imitating socially expected behaviours — is, in a way, a form of forced linearity. It’s adopting a step-by-step “social script” to fit in, even if the mind naturally operates in a more fluid or unconventional way. While it may help someone blend into structured environments, it can also drain mental energy and suppress authentic strengths.

In reality, cognitive behaviour is deeply rooted in the brain’s wiring. You can adjust, adapt, and learn coping strategies — but rewiring a naturally non-linear mind into a consistently linear one is not sustainable. The strength of the neurodivergent mind often lies in what linear systems overlook: pattern recognition across contexts, innovative leaps, and intuitive connections.

 

[Outdated]

I prefer to learn things in my own way because when others try to teach you they also teach you their own preconceptions and misconceptions.

 

[GHA]

I prefer to learn things in my own way because when others try to teach you they also teach you their own preconceptions and misconceptions.

Appreciated and accordingly edited..

 

[Ronald Zeeman]

Linear thinking and linear learning work well in structured, rule-based environments. They follow a clear sequence — step A leads to step B, which leads to step C. This approach is often effective for neurotypicals, where predictability and uniformity help maintain focus and productivity.

For many neurodivergent individuals, however, the mind does not travel in straight lines. Ideas branch, loop back, or connect across seemingly unrelated domains. The process is not about moving from A to B — it’s about exploring how A links to Z, then circling back to C with a deeper, more nuanced understanding. This is why conventional, linear teaching and training can feel limiting. It compresses a dynamic thought process into a narrow track.

Masking — the act of imitating socially expected behaviours — is, in a way, a form of forced linearity. It’s adopting a step-by-step “social script” to fit in, even if the mind naturally operates in a more fluid or unconventional way. While it may help someone blend into structured environments, it can also drain mental energy and suppress authentic strengths.

In reality, cognitive behaviour is deeply rooted in the brain’s wiring. You can adjust, adapt, and learn coping strategies — but rewiring a naturally non-linear mind into a consistently linear one is not sustainable. The strength of the neurodivergent mind often lies in what linear systems overlook: pattern recognition across contexts, innovative leaps, and intuitive connections.

Describes my mind, why it drives my wife nuts,

 

[TBRS1]

When I was being taught how to be a teacher, I was taught that there are 4 basic ways of "thinking." Everybody does all 4, but each person uses 1 of them as their native "go to" form of thinking.

The first is linear thinking, as you've described it.

The second is oceanic thinking. This is the looped thinking you've described.

The third is categorical thinking, in which the individual understands things by putting them in categories (think of something like "that animal is a mammal, subcategory of marsupial").

The fourth type is emotional thinking, where one's emotional response to something is what matters.

Linear thinking is heavily emphasised in the society that I live in because reading, logic, science, math, etc. all rely heavily on linearity.

Oceanic thinking is common amongst poets, artists, and people who engage in creative activity (including creative science).

Weirdly, though, linear thinking is vital in explaining the insights of oceanic thinking, while, at the same time, oceanic thinking is the thing that gives linear thinking something to explain.