Notes

Vocabulary:

Boondoggling: As defined on dictionary.com, Boondoggling is when someone attempts to deceive, or to do little-to-no work while trying to look busy.

Sinecure: According to Oxford Languages, Sinecure is an occupation or job that requires little or no work but offers significant financial benefit. 

Disparate: According to Oxford Languages, Disparate is used to describe something that isn't comparable, or is entirely different in kind.

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1. The idea of creation is a mysterious thing. We often will come up with innovative and unique concepts through generational progress. Though, how do we come up with these ideas out of thin air? Even with the help of generational progress, the idea itself doesn’t just magically appear out of nowhere. The idea comes from our desire for adaptation. Though, not just adaptation alone. Innovation has always been a cornerstone of human’s capabilities. Starting from creating weaponry out of spears, we grew our ability to think, adapt, and create. Having an idea comes from the desire for something. Our ancestors would desire food, so they adapted ways of obtaining it. We desire an upgraded form of our phone, so we have people focusing on ways to innovate these parts of what it is that we desire. There is a problem that one has, and a solution to this issue is needed. Therefore, focusing our means to innovation is what drives our desire to create. 

2. Ideas are external because the idea itself isn’t something that is necessarily tangible. Aside from the creation itself, a concept is still that in of itself, a concept. A phone technically doesn’t exist in the way most people think about it. A phone is an assortment of minerals put together in a way that functions in a manner we desire it to. The 'phone' isn’t something found in the natural world, aside from our creation of it. The idea of it existing external to us isn’t far fetched when how we operate is essentially putting together a puzzle. When you open up the box, you have an assortment of pieces all laying inside. Putting these pieces together is what separates the concept in comparison to the actuality. Technically, you could put these pieces together how you’d wish, though it’d leave a mess. The connection of these pieces in the 'correct' order is what creates a full fledged image, and helps put together our normative connection to the “idea” of what that specific object represents. 

3. New ideas occurring during the cross-connection of disparate concepts means that when two ideas that differ entirely are brought together, creative sparks can fly. Assuming that two differing concepts are unable to fuse together to create something new is certainly commonplace, yet this usage of cross-connecting ideas that starkly contrast each other can result in the formation of new ideas. Asimov emphasizes the importance of maintaining a bold outlook when attempting to develop a new idea or concept, and if not done in a daring fashion, "a mere corollary of an old idea" (pg.6) can form. (Corollary, forming a proposition that is intertwined with an already proven proposition). Sometimes, a great idea can be formed when considering previous concepts while simultaneously observing somewhat new concepts. 

4. Something like time travel is a commonly thought of concept that would enable someone to transfer themselves to a different time period. Whether it’s to make themselves younger, or to make them appear in a section of time that is different from the one they were presently in. Possibly something like telepathy to read someone’s mind. These are concepts that have yet to be proven possible in today's age, but that isn’t to say these things are not possible in a future sense.

5. Isolation gives individuals the chance to fully immerse themselves in their creative pursuits, free from disruption. It's like having a private bubble for deep thought and creative brainstorming, shielding them from the usual distractions and interruptions that come with the company of others. In this solitary space, they can dig deeper into their ideas, leaving no stone unturned. Furthermore, isolation grants the liberating freedom to venture into uncharted territory, even if those ideas might seem strange or awkward. Creativity thrives on daring to break through established limits and taking risks. In the solitude of isolation, individuals are free to embrace this daring spirit of exploration, unburdened by the fear of judgment or constraints. Similar to having a blank canvas where they can unleash their most wild and creative ideas. Asimov stating that creation is embarrassing (pg. 7) immediately resonated with me, having feared others' judgement. 

6. The idea here is that when individuals are in a group setting or surrounded by others, they may feel self-conscious about their creative process, fearing judgment or criticism. This fear of embarrassment can inhibit their willingness to take creative risks or explore unconventional ideas. People may be concerned about how their creative work or ideas will be perceived by others, as I have personally been before. They might worry that their ideas will be ridiculed or not well-received, ultimately leading to a feeling of embarrassment. As a result, they may hold back or conform to more conventional thinking in the presence of others, unfortunately stifling their ability to freely create. 

7. I think the world disapproves of challenging their belief system. Since people are quick to judge something that seems abnormal or normatively different, people will be less likely to showcase their creativity outside of completed works. "The world" seems to particularly shoot down the concept of having an idea that isn't ultimately successful, which is an integral part of the creative process. 

8. The connection between embracing foolishness in ideation and learning, as well as the concept of the willful suspension of disbelief in fiction and movies lies in the willingness to accept unconventional or imaginative ideas without immediate judgment. Much like when we engage in a story and temporarily set aside our skepticism to fully immerse ourselves in a fictional narrative, the process of ideation and learning can benefit from a similar open-minded approach. This means acknowledging that it's perfectly acceptable to consider seemingly 'foolish' or unconventional ideas without fearing embarrassment. By drawing this parallel, we begin to develop a more nurturing environment for creative thinking and exploration. 

9. The sense of responsibility can lead to an avoidance of blame. People may be wary of taking risks or making unconventional decisions, as they fear being held accountable if these new ideas do not yield the expected results. This avoidance of potential blame can hinder the exploration of unorthodox or unproven concepts. the pressure to conform to established standards and expectations is heightened when one carries responsibilities. This can stifle creative thinking since individuals may feel compelled to adhere to familiar methods and avoid experimentation with novel ideas. The weight of responsibility may discourage them from stepping outside the bounds of conventional approaches.