Matt Ridley on facts and myths in innovation

Have you ever envied those geniuses who discovered the laws of nature while doing everyday activities? It would seem that Archimedes invented the principle of buoyancy by jumping out of the bath, while Newton discovered gravity when he was hit on the head by a falling apple while dozing under an apple tree. It would be wonderful if we could come up with a solution to some human problem that would make us millionaires, or even billionaires, all while having a cup a coffee or chillaxing a jacuzzi!

Dispelling myths

Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Matt Ridley’s book How Innovation Works and Why It Flourishes in Freedom dispels many myths about innovation. I think it will be a very useful read for managers of large corporations, startup owners, scientists, creative inventors, and even politicians and lawmakers. Yes, indeed! Oddly enough, it turns out that the politics of states and international organizations, as well as the regulatory framework, can significantly influence the development or inhibition of innovation.