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The Link Between Tangents and Innovation

Aiden Foster July 24, 2025

In a world that rewards laser focus, tangents often get a bad reputation. Straying off-topic is typically seen as inefficiency or distraction. But growing evidence suggests something surprising: the link between tangents and innovation is not just real—it’s essential. Many of the biggest breakthroughs, inventions, and creative ideas come not from sticking to the script, but from following those “off-topic” trails of thought.

This article explores how tangents contribute to innovation, why they matter in modern work and creative environments, and how you can harness them for smarter, more inventive thinking.

Lightbulb abstract geometric design, creative idea

What Are Tangents—and Why Do They Matter?

A tangent is a deviation from the main topic—a side thought or idea that emerges unexpectedly during a task or conversation. While often dismissed, tangents engage a different mode of thinking: associative thinking, where ideas are linked based on similarity, contrast, or personal relevance.

Innovation depends on connecting unrelated ideas. Tangents, by definition, push you out of linear thought and into new territories. According to a study in Psychological Science, engaging in mind wandering and divergent thinking enhances creative problem-solving (Baird et al., 2012).

In short, the very thoughts you’re tempted to ignore might be the key to your next big idea.

Emerging Trend: Structured Tangents in Work and Tech

The link between tangents and innovation is now being harnessed intentionally in tech, design, and strategy fields. Here’s how:

1. AI-Powered Idea Generation

Tools like ChatGPT and Notion AI thrive on tangents. Users prompt these tools with offbeat questions to generate creative solutions or explore unexpected angles.

2. Innovation Workshops

Companies like Google and IDEO encourage “tangential brainstorming”—sessions where participants are prompted to think outside the main topic to spark novel ideas.

3. Networked Note-Taking Tools

Platforms like Obsidian and Roam Research link notes through bidirectional tagging, enabling users to discover unexpected connections—structured tangents that lead to innovation.

This trend reflects a broader shift: structured flexibility is becoming a valued tool in creativity and productivity.

The Neuroscience of Tangents and Innovation

What happens in the brain during tangents?

Tangents engage the default mode network (DMN)—the brain’s system for daydreaming, self-reflection, and creative insight. Research in Nature Reviews Neuroscience shows that the DMN is active during spontaneous thought and idea generation (Christoff et al., 2016).

Meanwhile, the executive control network, associated with focus, temporarily quiets down. This allows novel associations to form, which can later be refined into innovative solutions.

The link between tangents and innovation is biological. Giving your brain permission to wander allows it to process problems subconsciously and surface fresh insights.

Real-World Examples of Innovation from Tangents

1. Post-it Notes

3M scientist Spencer Silver was trying to develop a strong adhesive—but accidentally created a weak one. A colleague later used it to make removable bookmarks, leading to Post-it Notes—an iconic product born from a tangent.

2. Slack

Originally a gaming company, Slack’s founders developed an internal communication tool that became more useful than their game. Pivoting to this “tangent” led to Slack, now a leading workplace platform.

3. Velcro

Inspired by burrs sticking to his dog’s fur, engineer George de Mestral developed Velcro—a tangent from a nature walk that became a staple in textiles.

In all cases, allowing space for tangents led to unexpected, innovative outcomes.

How to Use Tangents to Fuel Innovation: A Practical Guide

1. Schedule “Idea Drift” Time

Dedicate time to free-thinking sessions, where tangents are encouraged. Use prompts or open-ended questions:

  • What else does this remind me of?
  • What if we did the opposite?
  • Where have I seen something similar?

Allow mind wandering with purpose—structured time to explore.

2. Capture Tangents Immediately

Use a note-taking app or journal to record off-topic thoughts. Tag them for future exploration. Later, review for patterns or connections.

Tools like Logseq or Tana help organize these ideas into networks, making it easier to spot tangents worth pursuing.

3. Cross-Pollinate Disciplines

Tangents often arise when different domains collide. Encourage multidisciplinary learning:

  • Read outside your field.
  • Attend talks in unrelated industries.
  • Collaborate with diverse teams.

Innovation thrives on idea collisions. The more inputs, the more tangents—and the higher the chance of a breakthrough.

4. Reframe Distraction as Discovery

Not every tangent is wasted time. When your mind wanders, ask:

  • What was I thinking about?
  • Why did my brain go there?
  • Can this be connected to my work?

Reframing tangents as mini-ideas instead of distractions can lead to unexpected insights.

Challenges: Managing Tangents Without Losing Focus

While tangents can spark innovation, they can also derail productivity. Here’s how to balance exploration with focus:

  • Use the “time-boxing” method: Allocate blocks for focused work and idea drift.
  • Maintain a “Later List”: If a tangent emerges during a task, note it down to revisit.
  • Use review sessions weekly to explore captured tangents systematically.

The goal is not to chase every tangent—but to capture and evaluate them strategically.

The Future: AI and Tangential Thinking

AI is increasingly used to simulate tangential thought. Tools like Sudowrite and ChatGPT can generate wild idea branches, helping users explore non-linear thinking.

Future tools may include:

  • AI-assisted brainstorming partners that suggest tangents based on your current focus.
  • Smart notebooks that detect when a tangent has high innovation potential.
  • Pattern recognition algorithms that track tangents across time and surface those that recur.

Expect tangents to become recognized assets in creative workflows, supported by technology that manages and nurtures them.

Conclusion

In a world obsessed with productivity, tangents may seem like inefficiency. But as science, technology, and history show, the link between tangents and innovation is undeniable. Tangents spark curiosity, connect ideas, and lead to breakthroughs.

Start by noticing your tangents. Capture them. Explore them. Allow them to shape your thinking, your projects, and your path forward.

Sometimes the path you didn’t plan is where the most important ideas begin.

Reference

  1. Baird, B., et al. (2012). Inspired by Distraction: Mind Wandering Facilitates Creative Incubation. Psychological Science, 23(10), 1117–1122. https://doi.org
  2. Christoff, K., et al. (2016). Mind-wandering as spontaneous thought: a dynamic framework. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 17(11), 718–731. https://doi.org
  3. Educational Psychologist, 51(2), 289–299. https://doi.org