The sad, sad inventor

Great ideas feel so very good.

People love to have great ideas. The pleasure of solving a difficult problem with a clever idea can be addictive. The human mind is built for this, and will seek out that pleasure where it can. If it wasn’t, an entire industry of puzzle makers would be out of business.

I’ve seen that pleasure, up close. I’ve played host to provoke audiences of workshop delegates, and seen their eye’s come alive with creative epiphany. I’ve heard the snort of revelation, and the snigger of recognition that ripples through a group well tuned. And, of course, I’ve felt this delight myself.

However, this pleasure comes at a price.

The great trouble with the delight to be found in solving a difficult problem, is that the pleasure itself can convince you that you are completely correct. No idea that makes you feel this good could possibly be completely wrong, could it?

That’s when the trouble starts.

Consider an engineer, or inventor, or scientist, or the hopeful entrepreneur looking for that Big Idea. They may labour for days, weeks, months or even years, and eventually they may come to a conclusion. A great conclusion. A stroke of creative genius. An idea that they are sure no-one has ever had before.