The Idea About Ideas

Great post, a bit too long.<p>Summary -<p>Ideas do not fall into just good or bad.<p>a) Dating Julia Roberts is a good idea, but its not feasible.<p>b) A free email address that has no password or registration is a good idea. (read the article if you're curious)<p>4 types of ideas:<p>a) "The obvious next" - ideas that follow logically from what's currently existing.<p>b) "Now we're ready" - ideas that have a certain technology or other requirement before its possible.<p>c) "infeasible" - ideas that are good but infeasible because technology/society/whatever is required not ready (its not a 'b' idea). Also ideas that have no money making business model fall into this category.<p>d) luminary ideas - ideas that are unique and original not just to the thinker, but to the rest of the world too. These are rare.<p>In short, work off of the 'b' and 'c' ideas, since technology is moving so fast. 'a' ideas are risky because you're competing with everyone else and a lot of luck/skill is required, and 'd' is out because lets face it, no one has them. 'c' ideas quickly become 'b' ideas -<p>"You merely have to act on them first. Given how fast our technology advances, it's a good idea to perpetually reconsider infeasible ideas every now and then. You never know when an infeasible idea might become feasible."

I disagree. Beethoven's 5th Symphony doesn't fall into any of those.<p>1) Definitely not the "next obvious step."<p>2) The theoretical principles of canons and fugues, etc. were all in place in the 18th century, but no one but Beethoven could have made the 5th symphony, or anything close to it.<p>3) Obviously, nothing to do with infeasibility.<p>4) Again, not luminary, because no one would ever have though of it. Contemporary musical style would change, and Beethoven's work would never exist.<p>P.S. And if anyone dare try to say the 5th Symphony wasn't an idea, it's brought a lot more good, happiness (relaxation, concerts, etc.), and wealth (selling records, etc.) than most startup ideas...

There's a slight mistake imho. Einsteins theory of relativity is categorised as a "now we're ready" idea meaning that if he hadn't thought of it somebody else would have. While this is true for the special theory of relativity published in 1905 it is not true for the general theory of relativity which also includes gravity published ten years later.<p>Many scientists believe that if Einstein hadn't incorporated gravity into the theory there's a good chance that it would still be undiscovered today.<p>But aside from that a really worthwhile article.

I wouldn't call "dating Julia Roberts" an idea. By that measure, becoming king of the world, solving P vs NP, winning Wimbledon, would all be ideas. All these are goals, not ideas.

That color scheme burns my eyes.

Oldie but a goodie. The Lizard Brain post on that blog I think is the best tho.