Imitate, then Innovate: The Surprising Benefits of Forgetting

Imitate, then Innovate: The Surprising Benefits of Forgetting

In the world of creativity, there is a prevailing fear of imitating others. This fear stems from the idea that true originality is the only path to success. However, David Perell argues that imitating others is actually a crucial step in the creative process. By imitating the work of others, creators can discover their own unique style.

Imitation and innovation are not opposing forces, but rather work in tandem. Creators consume art with intention, not just for entertainment. They study the work of others, reverse-engineering their ideas and building upon them in their own work. This process of imitation is a valuable tool for inspiration and growth.

Throughout history, imitative learning has happened through apprenticeships. Artists like Leonardo da Vinci observed and imitated the work of their mentors before developing their own unique style. However, with the rise of formal education, the transmission of technique and tacit knowledge has been lost. The focus on originality has overshadowed the importance of imitative learning.

Reading plays a crucial role in the creative process. Good writers become good by reading a lot of great writing. It hones their intuition for quality and helps them develop their own unique voice. Similarly, consuming a variety of content, whether through books, podcasts, or videos, can benefit those seeking to learn new skills. The more you immerse yourself in a subject, the more you benefit from imitative learning.

Imitation not only helps creators discover their own style, but it also reveals their taste and natural inclinations in the creative process. By imitating the work of others, creators are forced to think about the decisions made by those they admire. This process of imitation and reflection helps shape their own unique perspectives and approaches.

While imitation is valuable, it is important to note that innovation should not be solely focused on imitating popular figures. To truly be innovative, one must broaden their sources of inspiration. Diversifying inputs, escaping industry echo chambers, and delving into history can provide fresh perspectives and ideas. Patrick Collison, co-founder of Stripe, emphasizes the importance of understanding past solutions before trying to be excessively original. Originality should serve a higher purpose and be driven by a deep understanding of the problem at hand.

Switching gears, let's explore the surprising benefits of forgetting. Our memories are distributed across our cortex, with specific regions dedicated to saving, retrieving, and storing information. Forgetting is a natural process that allows our brains to generalize, abstract, and filter information. If we were to remember everything, life would be overwhelmed with novelty, leading to anxiety. Forgetting allows us to let go of emotional memories and find balance.

Forgetting plays a crucial role in creativity. It allows for unexpected connections among key ideas, leading to eureka moments. Most creative individuals tend to function best in the morning when their memories have wilted back down, allowing for loose associations and flights of fancy. Forgetting is the key to unlocking creativity.

In decision-making, forgetting can also be beneficial. People with so-called "bad memories" tend to make better decisions because they do not rely heavily on their memories. They are more likely to double-check information and consider the unknowns before making a decision. The tortoise mind, which takes its time and ensures accuracy, beats the hare brain that rushes into decision-making based on memory alone.

In conclusion, the journey of creativity involves imitating those who inspire us and innovating on their ideas. Imitation is not something to be feared but embraced as a stepping stone towards finding one's unique style. Forgetting, on the other hand, allows for generalization, abstraction, and filtering of information, leading to creativity and better decision-making. To foster innovation and creativity, we must imitate intentionally, broaden our sources of inspiration, and embrace the benefits of forgetting.