American Idle — Remains of the Day: Embracing Imitation and Innovation

American Idle — Remains of the Day: Embracing Imitation and Innovation

In today's digital age, platforms like TikTok have harnessed the power of network effects by allowing users to remix and imitate each other's content. By lowering the barrier to video editing and providing easy-to-use effects and filters, TikTok has made it possible for even amateurs to create engaging and entertaining videos.

This concept of imitation leading to innovation is not a new one. As writer David Perell suggests, imitating others can actually help us discover our unique style. Unfortunately, there is a prevalent fear of imitation, often referred to as the "Originality Disease," which prevents creators from embracing this process. However, imitation and innovation are not mutually exclusive; they work in tandem.

Creators consume art differently than consumers. They actively seek inspiration and ideas from the works of others, consciously or unconsciously building their own mental Pinterest board of concepts to borrow and build upon. The great innovators of our time, such as Einstein and Hunter S. Thompson, have all drawn inspiration from the works of those who came before them. The fear of plagiarism, instilled in us during our school years, has unfortunately stifled this process of imitative learning.

Throughout history, imitative learning has often taken place through apprenticeships. In the true "Imitate, then Innovate" fashion, apprentices would observe and learn from their masters, incorporating their techniques and knowledge into their own work. However, as humanity has focused on the transmission of facts through textbooks, the transmission of technique and tacit knowledge has been lost.

To become a good writer, it is essential to read a lot of good writing. Even though the principles of effective writing may be difficult to communicate, reading hones one's intuition for quality writing. Similarly, skills acquired through platforms like YouTube, which often involve bodily actions rather than intellectual ones, benefit greatly from imitative learning. Think of learning to dance - no one learns by reading a textbook.

The improvement of creative education begins with rediscovering the benefits of apprenticeships. When we imitate someone's work, we are forced to think about the decisions they made and the reasoning behind them. Through consumption and creation, we weave the threads of other people's work into a tapestry of our own. Imitation helps us discover our creative personalities, revealing our taste and the aspects of the creative process that come most naturally to us.

Observation is a key skill that both painters and writers possess. Learning to see as a painter can greatly enhance one's ability to articulate ideas through writing. Both painters and writers aim to illuminate the world, using their respective mediums to capture and convey their observations. By looking at what has been on the table all along, rather than constantly seeking something new, true insight and innovation can be achieved.

Art often precedes reality, with many technological advancements originating from the realm of science fiction. Steve Jobs famously drew inspiration from Star Trek when designing the iPad, and concepts for FaceTime appeared in the film 2001: A Space Odyssey. The Wright brothers, who were successful in achieving manned flight when others doubted its possibility, studied animal locomotion and bird flight to gain a deeper understanding of the principles involved.

However, if we want to be truly innovative, we must be selective in who we choose to imitate. Diversifying our inputs, escaping our industry's echo chamber, and delving into history rather than focusing solely on the present can lead to more original and groundbreaking ideas. Taking a page from the playbook of companies like Stripe, who prioritize understanding problems deeply before seeking innovative solutions, we can see that originality should not be the ultimate goal. Instead, quality, beauty, and clear communication should be valued.

In conclusion, embracing imitation and innovation is crucial for personal and professional growth. By imitating the work of others, we can discover our own unique style and develop our creative personalities. Learning from the past and observing the world around us enables us to see things in new and insightful ways. And, by selecting our sources of inspiration thoughtfully, we can break free from the confines of the present and achieve true innovation.

Actionable Advice:

• 1. Embrace imitation: Don't be afraid to imitate the work of others. By studying and understanding their decisions, you can learn valuable insights and techniques that will help you develop your own unique style.

• 2. Read widely: To become a better writer, read a lot of good writing. This will hone your intuition for quality and improve your writing skills.

• 3. Diversify your inputs: Escape the Never-Ending Now by broadening your sources of inspiration. Read about history, explore different industries, and seek out diverse perspectives. This will expand your creative thinking and lead to more original ideas.