Imagination is far more important than knowledge. - Albert Einstein
This morning I was sleeping in a little later than usual. The sun was already up, and I was sort of awake but with my eyes closed. That neat display of colour and shapes that dances around on the inside of our eyelids made me start to think about imagination, memory and all kinds of brain things.
Even though my eyes were closed, I could clearly see what I would be seeing if my eyes were open. The wall, the edge of the bookcase behind my bed, the colours and lines that are absolutely real. But then my mind would shift to other things: people I know and places I've been. And in addition to my recollection of things that I've actually experienced, there were images of all kinds of things that I haven't. Imaginary people and places, my minds interpretation of things that I've only read about and never seen. My futuristic view of what I might see at some point. The interior of the house that I haven't built yet, the face of a friend that I have yet to meet, a view of my next project.
And with all these images, I can't help but wonder where they all come from. Some people believe that it's just a rearrangement of stimulus that we've already received, and that there is really no such thing as imagination or creativity. Others believe it's somehow connected to God, with us being outlets for her. I like to believe that beneath all the instinctual and predictable behaviour, we are a race of inventors, piecing together old things in new ways, but also dreaming up completely new ideas. A new phrase, a new article, a new invention. Things that in some way or another define right now as a turning point. A point at which afterwards we wonder how we ever got on without whatever it is that is new. A marketing campaign that changes our minds forever, a book that leaves people pondering, music so incredible that it needs to be listened to over and over to be fully understood.
And with all these ideas spinning around in peoples' heads, I often think about how many ideas are not being realized. During my short life I have come up with a long list of things that I would like to try, or devices that I would like to build. Of all the ideas, I am working overtime to make just a few of them into reality. That has involved working part time, starting a corporation, saving money, borrowing money, spending money, staying up late, consuming a lot of caffeine, feeling overwhelmed, sick, scared, determined and many other strong feelings. All with the hope of bringing a couple of unique ideas into the hands of others and making some money at the same time.
I know that there are lots of people that have ideas much better than mine, but don't have a chance to develop them. A friend told me of an incredible idea that will help people keep in shape and eat right. I wish I could use it, but right now it's just a prototype that is probably hundreds of phone calls, emails and meetings away from benefiting anyone. Judging by his busy schedule, it might never get anywhere. That's a real shame.
The words: "I've got an idea!" should be ones that open up doors, and get people listening. But instead it causes people to cower in fear. Bankers run away, parents wish their kids would stop dreaming, the government acts ignorant. There is nowhere to go. What we need is a place where ideas can flourish, where imaginative people go to figure out just about everything. Where anyone does anything, and everyone helps. A co-op, like MEC, for ideas. Anyone can bring their idea and help have it developed into something real that we all can benefit from.
We all deserve a chance to change the world for the better. Imagination is the seed that must be allowed to grow.