[varina davis]

It's less helpful, however, when one adduces a theory which does not answer any question; does not account for the (admittedly limited) things we are told; which in fact relies on events we are yet not told about.

No doubt this is true. However, if one never thinks outside the box (a phrase I detest,but appropriate here), and fails to incorporate possible scenarios which, in fact, are realities in this society, then one is left with nothing but pap and pat formulas.

[anatolfz]

In re: outside the box;
"Pushing the envelope" is another such. People are always taking a very specific, limited technical thing and using it as an extended and lazy metaphor becauser they like the snappiness. Both are kind of specific to their disciplines really.