为什么说多数创新都是“睡美人”？| 红杉Library

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes that disruptive innovations often emerge unnoticed and typically before their time, suggesting that many breakthroughs are dormant until the right conditions awaken them [2]. Group 1: Innovation and Its Awakening - Innovations are not solely the result of individual genius but are products of probability, environment, and chance [2]. - The author, Andreas Wagner, discusses how the greatest innovations may be hidden in plain sight and require patience, keen observation, and the courage to embrace uncertainty to uncover [2]. Group 2: Examples from Nature - Grass is presented as a successful organism, meeting criteria of richness and diversity, with over 10,000 species evolving over millions of years [5]. - Despite having survival-enhancing innovations, grass took over 40 million years to thrive, highlighting that success depends not only on inherent traits but also on the surrounding environment [6][7]. Group 3: Broader Implications - The concept of "sleeping beauties" in evolution and culture suggests that many innovations remain dormant until environmental changes trigger their potential [8][12]. - The article posits that understanding these patterns can help in recognizing the unpredictable nature of innovation success, which is often beyond the innovator's control [13]. Group 4: Call to Action - The article encourages a mindset shift towards recognizing and nurturing seemingly insignificant ideas that could lead to significant innovations in the future [13]. - It advocates for cross-disciplinary learning and the cultivation of critical thinking skills to prepare for future "awakening moments" [13].