This Trick Might Make You Too Creative : Idea Stacking

Ever feel like all the good ideas are already taken? Like you're staring at a blank page, waiting for a lightning bolt of pure originality to strike? Well, let's ditch that myth right now! The truth is, creativity isn't about pulling rabbits out of hats. It's more like being a brilliant chef – taking ingredients that already exist and combining them in delicious, unexpected ways.

Think of it like this: have you ever noticed how many of your favorite songs sound a little bit like something else? Maybe the beat reminds you of an old classic, or the melody has a familiar feel. That's often "idea stacking" in action!

This powerful principle isn't just a modern observation; history is filled with brilliant minds who mastered the art of combining existing ideas to create groundbreaking innovations.

Let's take a look at some iconic figures who exemplify the power of idea stacking:

• Albert Einstein's Theory of Relativity:

  Einstein didn't invent the concepts of space, time, or gravity. Instead, his genius lay in stacking existing ideas in physics in a revolutionary new way. He took the established laws of motion and Maxwell's equations about the constant speed of light, which seemed contradictory, and found an unexpected connection. His theory of special relativity essentially combined the idea that the laws of physics are the same for all observers with the idea that the speed of light in a vacuum is constant for all observers, regardless of the motion of the light source. This groundbreaking "stacking" of existing principles led to a completely new understanding of the universe.

  

• Steve Jobs and the Apple Macintosh:

  Steve Jobs wasn't the inventor of the mouse, the graphical user interface (GUI), or personal computing itself. However, his brilliance was in stacking these existing technologies and ideas into a cohesive and user-friendly product. He saw the potential of the GUI (developed at Xerox PARC), the ease of use of a mouse, and the power of personal computing, and combined them with elegant design and a focus on the user experience. This "stacking" of disparate elements resulted in the Macintosh, a revolutionary product that fundamentally changed how people interacted with computers.

  
  

• William Shakespeare's Plays:

  Shakespeare, arguably the greatest writer in the English language, rarely invented entirely new stories. Instead, he was a master of stacking existing narratives, historical events, and literary traditions. He drew inspiration from classical myths, historical chronicles, and popular tales of his time. His genius was in combining these pre-existing frameworks with his profound understanding of human nature, his unparalleled command of language, and his dramatic flair. He took familiar stories and stacked layers of complex characters, universal themes, and poetic language onto them, transforming them into timeless works of art that continue to resonate with audiences centuries later.

  
  

• Johannes Gutenberg and the Printing Press:

  While the concept of movable type existed in various forms before Gutenberg, his innovation was in stacking several existing technologies and ideas in a practical and efficient way. He combined the idea of movable type with the design of a wine press to create a machine capable of mass-producing printed materials. He also developed a special metal alloy for the type and an oil-based ink that adhered well to metal. Gutenberg's genius was in stacking these separate elements – movable type, the press mechanism, metal alloy, and suitable ink – into a single, revolutionary invention that democratized knowledge and transformed society.
  
  

  

We recently stumbled upon this cool concept, and it's like a secret key to unlocking a treasure chest of ideas we never knew we had. It's called idea stacking, and it's so simple, it's almost magical.

Imagine you're building with LEGOs. You have all these different bricks, right? Creativity is about taking those familiar bricks and snapping them together in a way no one has thought of before.

Let's break down the simple steps you can take to become super creative...

1. Be a Sponge for Information: The Curious Case of the Coffee-Loving Programmer

Think of your brain as an empty cup. To get creative, you need to fill it up! This first step is all about being super curious and absorbing everything around you. Read books (even if they're not about your work!), watch interesting documentaries, listen to podcasts about all sorts of things, and chat with people from different walks of life.

Let's say you're a programmer struggling with a coding problem. Instead of just banging your head against the keyboard, you decide to take a break and read an article about how coffee beans are roasted to bring out different flavors. Sounds unrelated, right? But while reading, you learn about the importance of precise timing and temperature to achieve the perfect result. Suddenly, a lightbulb goes off! You realize you might be able to approach your coding problem with a similar level of precision and attention to specific variables. That's absorbing information leading to an unexpected connection!

2. Your Idea Scrapbook: The Baker Who Noticed the Wind

Now that your brain is full of interesting tidbits, it's time to become an idea collector. Whenever something sparks your interest, jot it down! It doesn't have to be a fully formed masterpiece – just a word, a phrase, a quick sketch. Think of it as keeping an idea scrapbook.

Imagine a baker who loves making sourdough bread. One day, while walking home, they notice how the wind catches the leaves in a swirling pattern. It's a simple observation, but they scribble down "swirling wind, natural movement." Later, when trying to come up with a new way to decorate their cakes, they remember their observation about the wind. This inspires them to create a beautiful, naturally flowing frosting design. That's a seemingly random observation becoming a creative idea!

3. The "What If?" Game: The Artist Who Loved Nature Documentaries

This is where you put on your mad scientist hat and start mixing things up! Take your collection of absorbed knowledge and your idea scrapbook, and start asking "What if?" How can you combine these different elements in a new and exciting way?

Let's say you're a graphic designer working on a logo for a nature-based skincare brand. You've been watching a lot of nature documentaries lately and are fascinated by the intricate patterns in蜂巢. You also have a note in your scrapbook about the golden ratio. You start playing the "What if?" game: What if I combined the hexagonal structure of a honeycomb with the mathematical elegance of the golden ratio? This leads you to create a logo that is both organic and perfectly balanced – a unique and memorable design!

Comparison with Other Potential Tricks

The research also considered other creativity tricks, such as walking, using the non-dominant hand, listening to music, or changing environments. Walking, for instance, has research showing a 60% increase in creative output (Stanford study finds walking improves creativity), but it primarily boosts divergent thinking, similar to idea stacking.

Using the non-dominant hand showed potential for stimulating brain activity but lacked strong proof for creativity boosts (Does using your non-dominant hand unleash creativity?). Music's effect was controversial, with some studies suggesting impairment in creative tasks (Does Listening to Music Stimulate Creative Thinking, or Stifle It?), while others found happy music could enhance divergent thinking (How Music Helps Us Be More Creative).

Changing environments showed promise (How making small changes to your environment can produce a big boost in your creativity), but idea stacking stands out for its historical success and structured approach.

Are All Creative Ideas Copied Now?

While it's true that many creative ideas are built upon existing ones, creativity isn't just about copying; it's about combining and transforming existing ideas into something new and valuable. Idea stacking allows for novel combinations that can lead to original and useful outcomes.

So, while the building blocks might be familiar, the way they're arranged can be entirely fresh. For example, combining coffee roasting techniques with coding, as mentioned, creates a unique approach.

Who Made the First Painting, Song, Art, Apparel, Travel Vehicle, and Are They the Most Authentic Creative People?

The first paintings are believed to have been made by prehistoric humans, possibly Neanderthals or early Homo sapiens, around 42,000 years ago, found in caves like Altamira, Spain (History of painting).

The first songs likely emerged from early human cultures, inspired by natural sounds or rhythms, though exact origins are unknown. The first art, apparel, and travel vehicles were similarly pioneered by our ancestors, often for practical needs, inspired by nature or environment. These pioneers were highly creative, as they invented without precedence, but even their creations were influenced by their surroundings.

At Wortham, we believe that while they are authentic in their originality, all creativity, to some extent, builds upon what came before, whether that's natural phenomena or cultural practices.

How to Create Something Unique Not Coming from Idea Stacking?

Creating something completely unique without any influence from existing ideas is nearly impossible, as our thoughts and innovations are shaped by our knowledge and experiences. However, to foster originality:

• Explore Unrelated Fields: Draw inspiration from areas outside your expertise, like a tech designer looking at biology for patterns.

• Embrace Serendipity: Be open to unexpected discoveries, like Alexander Fleming's accidental discovery of penicillin.

• Meditation and Mindfulness: Clear your mind to allow for new, unobstructed thoughts, potentially leading to novel insights.

• Nature as Inspiration: Look to the natural world for novel patterns and ideas, like biomimicry in design.

  
  

  At Wortham, we believe that even in these cases, your unique perspective and the way you interpret and combine these influences will lead to originality, though it's still rooted in your mental library.

The amazing thing about idea stacking is that you're probably already doing it without even realizing it! Every time you have a conversation, read an article, or experience something new, you're adding to your mental library. The key is to become more intentional about absorbing, capturing, and connecting those ideas.

So Let's the joy of Connecting the Dots. seemingly disparate concepts, knowing that every experience, every bit of knowledge you gather, is a potential ingredient for your next brilliant creation. The world is brimming with inspiration waiting to be stacked. Start today, and watch as your inner creative genius blossoms, one delightful combination at a time. The power to innovate isn't some far-off magic; it's within you.

What's your thought on it. Let us know in comments.

Key Citations

Stanford study finds walking improves creativity / The Power of Walking: Unleashing Brilliance and Creativity / Study: Walking Increases Creative Output By 60% / History of Painting: An Overview / What Is the Oldest Painting? / Does using your non-dominant hand unleash creativity? / Does Listening to Music Stimulate Creative Thinking, or Stifle It? / How Music Helps Us Be More Creative / How making small changes to your environment can produce a big boost in your creativity