A great book to read at the beach this summer by Steven Johnson.
Did you know?
"Coral reefs cover less than 0.1% of the surface of the world's ocean, whilst they support over one-quarter of all marine species."
This is called Darwin's Paradox which describes coral reefs "like a swarming oasis in the middle of a desert".
Darwin's paradox works to explain how such a high density of marine life can flourish in poor nutritional waters.
Through a slow hunch, 20 years later, these observations led to the "Evolution of Man" revolutionising modern thinking.
Darwin spent 5 years (1831-1836) on the ship "The Beagle". This included 36 months exploring on land & 18 months at sea observing patterns in nature and forming new ideas.
"Darwin's world-changing idea unfolded inside his brain, but it also took all the environments and tools he needed to piece it together; a ship, an archipelago, a notebook, a library, a coral reef.
Similarly, innovation in modern times clusters in small groups, in large environments.
We see entrepreneurs gathering in highly productive hubs where the meeting of minds creates new products & innovations.
In these hubs, it maybe not so much, the wisdom of the crowd, but more the wisdom of an individual connecting ideas in the crowd.
How might understanding coral reefs help you generate great ideas?
What "unusually fertile environments" like an ocean reef, interesting cafe, meetup group can you discover in 2017 to discover and connect new ideas.
Remember, it only takes one great idea to change a lifetime.
If you would like to read more, check out more
The key lessons from “Where Good Ideas Come From” by Steven Johnson
About the natural history of innovation
