A borough council has banned the term \u201cbrainstorming\u201d \u2013 and replaced it with \u201cTHOUGHT SHOWERS\u201d.<\/p>\n
Bosses fear the phrase to describe idea sessions may offend epileptics or the mentally ill. Staff have been sent memos about the change \u2013 and even sent on training courses. But charities representing epileptics have branded the move political correctness gone mad.<\/p>\n
Margaret Thomas, of the National Society for Epilepsy, said: \u201cBrainstorming is a clear and descriptive phrase. \u201cAlternatives such as \u2018thought shower\u2019 or \u2018blue-sky thinking\u2019 are ambiguous to say the least.<\/p>\n
\u201cAny implication that the word \u2018brainstorming\u2019 is offensive to epileptics takes political correctness too far.\u201d<\/p>\n
Epilepsy causes seizures, like a \u201cstorm\u201d of activity in the brain.<\/p>\n
Richard Colwill, of mental health charity SANE, said: \u201cThis ban goes too far. Few would be genuinely offended by the word \u2018brainstorming\u2019 in the context of council meetings.\u201d<\/p>\n
An insider at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council in Kent said: \u201cNo one took it seriously at first, but they\u2019re certainly keen to wipe out the word once and for all.\u201d A spokesman said: \u201cWe take diversity awareness very seriously. The majority of staff have taken part in training and been asked to use the term \u2018thought showers\u2019.\u201d <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A borough council has banned the term \u201cbrainstorming\u201d \u2013 and replaced it with \u201cTHOUGHT SHOWERS\u201d. Bosses fear the phrase to describe idea sessions may offend epileptics or the mentally ill. Staff have been sent memos about the change \u2013 and even sent on training courses. But charities representing epileptics have branded the move political correctness…<\/p>\n