Quick: what's a simple definition of an idea?
Funny that, it's one of those common words we use frequently throughout the day, but when it comes to defining it concisely, it's not so easy. Doesn't it make sense that if you aren't sure what an idea is, it'll be more difficult to create one in a brainstorm - of any type?
Here's the simplest business definition I've ever found: An idea is one single solution, plan or option which might solve a problem or fulfil a need.
The only way that creativity can be demonstrated is by its outcome - that is, an idea - which has no universal standard of measurement. This is part of the reason why creativity is such a complex subject to many people: because they can't see, touch, use or experience creativity in the same way as everyone else.
Well, that’s not entirely true. The only ‘true’ standard of measurement of an idea is whether it helps to achieve a specific goal, effectively and efficiently. And, if it's a bad idea ... well, you get the idea.
As I noted in an earlier post on 6 January 2009, "one's prolific ability to generate ideas (both good and bad)" is a useful definition to judge how creative someone is. This notion of volume - or what's called "frequency" in creative philosophy - is another creative principle to remember. You want as many alternative plans, soltuions or options as possible. Why? Because of something I call "the 90:10 Rule."
When you think of any brainstorm, isn’t it true that 90 percent of the ideas were bad, wrong, improbable, immoral, criminal, and/or senseless? They wouldn’t help you achieve your goal. However, 10 percent of the ideas were worthy of more discussion and thought. That’s the 90:10 Rule. In a brainstorm, you want as many ideas as possible - both good and bad - because volume of both kinds exponentially increases the 10% of good ideas.
This also begs the side question: do bad ideas have any value? YES, because almost every good idea comes from a bad idea.
And finally, something for the trivia-minded among you. The light bulb is the universal symbol of ideas and creativity. Do you know why?
Creating light without the use of fire was virtually a ‘Holy Grail’ for many scientists during the 1800s. Many people think that Thomas Edison of New Jersey, USA, invented the incandescence lamp by 1879. In fact, the evolution of the bulb goes all the way back to 1802 when Sir Humphry Davy of the UK created light by passing a current through a small piece of platinum.
Other scientists continued to improve upon Davy’s idea, but none more obsessively than Edison who toiled with his team for nearly 10 years and 1,000 variations to find a solution to allow the bulb to burn for many hours upon end.
When it was announced to the public in the early 1880s that Edison had created the first commercially available bulb, as well as inventing the power stations to bring electricity directly into the home, its influence was immediate and profound – so much so that the light bulb continues to be the enduring symbol of ingenuity in virtually every language and culture worldwide.
(Ah, could you imagine being in charge of the press conference to announce the light bulb? PR nirvana!)
