Innovation means the transfer of an idea into a commercial or cultural success. Financial instruments like public funding of research activities are an established instrument for fostering the innovation process. It reduces the financial risk and activates the exchange of competencies within a research group. But mostly no breakthrough Innovation can be realized in spite of all financial support. This phenomen is called as a "‘Valley of Death’ existing between basic research and commercialization of a new product. From my viewpoint there might be a theory to overcome this situation. Any comment or discussion is welcome.
Michael,
I have an opinion, a theory, and even a valid reason that most ideas don't become innovations, and further, most grandiose plans are never realized. Of course, I'm usually wrong.
It all began a few decades ago when some idiots in the fields of education, psychology, and child development decided that the "problem" with kids was that they suffered from low self esteem. Their insidious solution for this was to encourage parents, teachers, and peers to avoid telling children the truth about themselves. (They didn't frame it in those terms; they called it "developing self esteem.")
In short order the "touchy-feely," feel good, you're great, yes you can generation was in full bloom. The world was inundated with "perfect," "high excelling," "talented," "exceptional," young people, at least in their minds, and in the minds of their parents, teachers, etc., who didn't want to burst their bubble and tell them the truth. We now witness many people trudging through mediocrity based on the lies about their potential, abilities, talents, skills that were told by parents, friends, etc. The evidence for my observation is I'm sure most of us have heard family or friends make their grandiose claims, and perhaps even fruitlessly pursue those dreams.
I'm going to be the next Einstein! I have a lot of cool ideas (my daddy says).
I'm going to write a best-selling novel! I'm a great writer (my mommy says so).
I'm going to be a rock star! (My girl friend thinks I am.)
I'm going to be a great actor, actress, dancer, and the list goes on.
They continue in this sad delusion until the cold slap of reality hits them in the face. And there is visible evidence of this claim as well. Some is seen on the talent shows on TV. There are numerous instances of performers being told by the judges, "you're horrible!" only to have the performers retort "you're wrong! My mommy says I'm a great singer." This they say to experts in their field which is another problem created by the idiots and their misguided "build self esteem" nonsense. That is, this young generation thinks that the opinions of (unqualified to judge) family, friends, and teachers is more valid and accurate than that of qualified, expert judges. The emotional devastation experienced by young people being judged and told the truth in their later years is much greater than if it had been done during the person's youth: "Son, I'm sorry but you can't sing. Deal with it."
So why do most ideas never become an innovation? Because they're dumb ideas that never should have been postulated in the first place.
Regards,
John
John,...
what you describe is one of the reasons why dumb ideas might exist.
I refer to excellent ideas which cannot be tranferred into an innovation within a sozial, scientific or economic field because of other circumstances.
Regards
Michael
Michael,
Oops! My bad! You're right. I describe why bad (ideas, musicians, artists, etc.) don't transfer into a social, scientific, etc. contribution. I think the reason excellent ideas and talents go unrecognized relates to my scenario described above. There are millions of individuals with excellent ideas, talents, abilities, etc. who are not recognized because of (bad) luck. Luck is abstract, an intangible, but there it is. I truly believe in a degree of luck being a factor--not being in the right place at the right time, not meeting the right person, missing an opportunity, etc. This is all related to discoverability and a good part of discoverability is chance/luck. Another part of discoverability is the person's ability to promote/advertise/market himself and some people are not good at self-promotion and others do not want to do it because they consider it "tacky" or unprofessional. I fit in the latter category which is why I shall remain forever in obscurity.
Regards,
John
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