Robust ideation

Robust ideation suggests creative thinking informed by research rather than mere opinion. The robust idea, then, presents a well-argued position. Although the robust idea doesn't necessarily win over the sceptics, the robustness encourages an informed discussion rather than an endless discussion of clashing opinions.

Idea formation

Daniel Shechtman, this year's winner of the Nobel prize in chemistry, observed that the arrangement of atoms in a metal alloy can break the rules of crystallography by forming unrepeating patterns, much like irregular medieval Islamic mosaics found in the Alhambra Palace in Spain and the Darb-i Iman Shrine in Iran. At the time of Shechtman's discovery, the configuration found in these "quasicrystals" was thought impossible because regular patterns were considered essential for a crystal solid to form. As a result, scientists had to reconsider how they viewed the nature of matter. The way Islamic mosaics have helped scientists understand what quasicrystals look like at the atomic level highlights the role of intellectual heritage, and might also illuminate the nature of idea formation.

Living your idea

'Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma- which is the result of living with other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.' (Steve Jobs 1955-2011).