Never let “being realistic” get in the way of real problem solving

The good folks at xkcd always have something useful to say. Too many problem solving efforts are sabotaged when someone decides to redirect the conversation towards “being realistic.” 

xkcd: Realistic Criteria

I’m planning on posting this little gem somewhere close by to remind me to view these requests more skeptically. 

When is a request to “be realistic” an honest effort to advance a problem solving effort and when is it a covert effort to derail or delay?