Where do ideas come from?
There are competing “models of innovation” in the literature. The one I find most compelling is something like “combinatorial innovation” — new ideas come from combining multiple existing ideas/hunches, especially across domains. Ideas that are “ahead of their time” don’t lead to innovation because there’s not enough other ideas to combine with.
So the way to get new ideas is to explore the “possibility space” at the edges of what’s already known, or at least what’s already known to you. This is why you might see the same good new idea pop up in multiple places at hte same time. It also means it’s advantageous to read across multiple domains
The conditions for combination are often serendipitous — even walks/naps/baths/group meetings. I’ve definitely experienced this in practice: Once I solved a problem for a Real Analysis final in my sleep. I woke up in the middle of the night with a new idea for a problem I’d worked on for a couple hours that day, and wrote it down. When I woke up the next morning and looked at the sticky note, I was like that seems reasonable, and it worked. This means it helps to read/reflect/learn in an environment that is good for serendipity, like a writing retreat or a sabbatical.
How can I have a life of good ideas?
- Structure my life for serendipity — Go for walks without a distraction, visit coffeeshops, take on new hobbies with intention.
- Write it all down — Notice and save hunches, curate notes but keep the folders a bit messy, share my ideas and let others build on them.
- Find moments for reflection — Consider structuring “think weeks” with curated/collected set of reading, take breaks/sabbaticals when possible, practice the sabbath.
See also:
- Where Good Ideas Come From by Steven Johnson
- Combinatorial innovation and technological progress in the very long run by Matt Clancy
- How to Make Yourself Into a Learning Machine by Dan Shipper