Final answer:
Solving a major problem requires brainstorming a variety of innovative solutions and refining them to meet certain requirements and constraints. It is essential to consider feasibility and be willing to adapt, possibly requiring a new approach or paradigm shift.
Step-by-step explanation:
To solve a major problem, it is vital to brainstorm alternative solutions. This process involves exploring a wide range of ideas to discover a unique and innovative solution. The exploration for solutions should consider all sources, including existing products, brainstormed ideas, scientific principles, and other creative approaches. Sketching a broad array of design concepts is crucial, as these can be refined into a component, system, or process to meet requirements and constraints.
Solutions that lack potential can be discarded early in the process. For example, sourcing pure water for a village near the equator from icebergs is likely impractical. It is important to remember that we must work within the confines of the physical world and often need to adapt our solutions accordingly. Crafting a plan could involve compromise or sacrifice, but looking to the past to understand why previous solutions succeeded or failed can also guide the creation of new solutions.
The key to addressing complex problems such as these is not to hastily latch onto the first available idea but to exercise patience and meticulously search for or develop a suitable solution. This may sometimes require a shift in narrative or adopting a new paradigm entirely, especially if we hope to mitigate issues in a timely and effective manner.