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If you want to kill an idea without being identified as the assassin, suggest that the legal department take a look at it.
Scott Adams
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote humorously suggests that bureaucratic processes can stifle creativity without direct blame.

Scott Adams cleverly critiques how organizations can suppress innovative ideas through convoluted bureaucratic measures, implying that if you want to eliminate an idea while avoiding responsibility, you can involve the legal department to cast doubt on it. This quote resonates with those who have experienced the frustrations of trying to implement new concepts in corporate or institutional settings where caution often outweighs courage.

Themes

IdeasBureaucracyCreativityHumorLaw

In practice

Example use cases

In a team meeting discussing new project ideas, this quote can be used to lighten the mood about how often great concepts are stalled by legal reviews.

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