A Never Ending Process

On my way to the office this morning (I’ll tell you later about the pros and cons of leaving 60 km from the office!), I was listening to the last album from The White Stripes: Icky Thump. While some texts might be questionable, I was intrigued by the music itself. I’m not an expert in music, defining myself as an amateur of any genre. But some pieces of music in this album sound familiar with some 70’s rock but there is certainly something out of it that is new and that I never heard before. At the end, it’s very eclectic changing rythms, genres, etc. I’m always fascinated by the ideation/creation process that allows such output. Take a guitar and a drum. Fine. Reproduce things. Ok (well, not for me!). But creating something is quite diferent. Take your experience, your inspiration, share it with other and fill the “white page”! WOW! Usually you don’t wake up one day with a brilliant idea. It’s a never ending process. I met a researcher few days ago. I’ve worked with him for the last 4 years or so. I’m still amazed to see him explaining the new idea from his team and sharing it us. In the conversation and interaction withus, just after he says “we cannot do that”, he continues with ”well thinking about it, there should be a way” and he starts drawing and explaining a new thing. I’m not saying we’re born an inventor or an innovator, meaning we are or not part of this (sort of binary selection) but I’m suggesting that being active in such area requires an open mind towards using and sharing knowledge, find solutions rather than be poised into problems or just following traditionnal ways.  It seems to me that questionning ourself and sharing questions with other is the never ending process we should follow to open the path for innovation.