There Is No Such Thing As A New Idea, And That’s Ok.

As innovators, we push ourselves in the hunt for innovative new ideas that will change the world. We strive for that original idea and the praise that comes with it. Just like the innovators before us who came up with what many consider an original idea and were celebrated as pioneers and trailblazers.

But what if I told you there is no such thing as a new idea? Would you believe me?

I am not saying that all the good ideas have been used up, and nothing new and original is left. What I am saying is we need to adjust our definition of the term “new idea.”

Changing The Definition

When most people hear that something is a new idea, they assume that the idea is fully original, never conceived or thought of before. That is not the case.

All ideas are inspired by ideas from the past. Everything we know has been inspired by something else. We just haven’t realized it yet. For instance, the Harry Potter storyline is not a new idea. It’s Star Wars set with wizards with what some point out as “funny looking lightsabers.” Sorry for the spoiler if you are a Harry Potter fan.

The new definition we need to understand is that new ideas are the result of uniquely combining what has come before to create a new idea.

Ideas are inspired by other ideas, which is why our brains are wired to connect the dots between different concepts. It is how we solve problems, innovate, and create new solutions. It’s not about starting from scratch; it is about picking up threads from the past and weaving them together in a new form.

No idea can truly be considered new.

Examples of New Ideas

Examples of new ideas inspired by the past abound throughout history, from the invention of the automobile to the creation of modern technology. Here is a list of some examples of how people have taken past ideas and combined them into something entirely new.