This is a summary review of The Myths of Innovation containing key details about the book.

What is The Myths of Innovation About?

“The Myths of Innovation” by Scott Berkun debunks common misconceptions about the innovation process and provides insights into how it really works. (Full Summary…)

The Myths of Innovation Summary Review

“The Myths of Innovation” by Scott Berkun offers a compelling journey through the intricate landscape of ideas and the often-misunderstood process of innovation. In this Kindle edition, Berkun presents an expanded and updated version of his classic bestseller, featuring four new chapters on practical applications and over 50 corrections and improvements.

Berkun’s engaging narrative style takes readers on a thought-provoking exploration, challenging prevailing misconceptions about the origins and evolution of ideas. He dismantles common myths surrounding innovation, emphasizing the role of persistent effort over fleeting moments of inspiration. The book delves into fundamental questions about the genesis of ideas, the complex history of innovation, and the inherent resistance people exhibit toward embracing novel concepts.

One notable aspect is Berkun’s scrutiny of the myth of epiphany, asserting that innovation is often the outcome of diligence rather than sudden flashes of insight. The book navigates through various facets, including idea generation, creating conducive environments for innovation, and effectively presenting ideas to diverse stakeholders. Berkun underscores the significance of problem finding, urging readers to reconsider their approaches to identifying and solving challenges.

Throughout the book, Berkun fortifies his arguments with real-world examples, grounding the concepts in tangible experiences. This approach enhances the book’s credibility and invites readers to reflect on the principles within their own spheres.

The concluding chapters explore themes such as hype, creative thinking strategies, the art of pitching ideas, and maintaining motivation. Berkun’s directive to “create things” serves as a potent call to action, encouraging readers to apply the insights gleaned from the book.

In summary, “The Myths of Innovation” stands as a valuable resource for anyone seeking a nuanced understanding of innovation dynamics. Berkun’s adept dismantling of myths, coupled with practical advice and real-world examples, makes this book a compelling read for those navigating the multifaceted terrain of ideas and creativity. As the book evolves with this updated edition, it remains a timeless guide for individuals and organizations aspiring to catalyze change through innovative thinking.

Who is the author of The Myths of Innovation?

Scott Berkun is an American author and speaker. Berkun studied computer science, philosophy, and design at Carnegie Mellon University. He worked at Microsoft from 1994 to 2003 on Internet Explorer 1.0 to 5.0, Windows, MSN, and in roles including usability engineer, lead program manager, and UI design evangelist.

How long is The Myths of Innovation?

• Print length: 192 pages

What genre is The Myths of Innovation?

Business, Nonfiction, Technology

What are good quotes from The Myths of Innovation?

“The Greeks were so committed to ideas as supernatural forces that they created an entire group of goddesses (not one but nine) to represent creative power; the opening lines of both The Iliad and The Odyssey begin with calls to them. These nine goddesses, or muses, were the recipients of prayers from writers, engineers, and musicians. Even the great minds of the time, like Socrates and Plato, built shrines and visited temples dedicated to their particular muse (or muses, for those who hedged their bets). Right now, under our very secular noses, we honor these beliefs in our language, as the etymology of words like museum (“place of the muses”) and music (“art of the muses”) come from the Greek heritage of ideas as superhuman forces.”

“The best lesson from the myths of Newton and Archimedes is to work passionately but to take breaks. Sitting under trees and relaxing in baths lets the mind wander and frees the subconscious to do work on our behalf. Freeman Dyson, a world-class physi- cist and author, agrees: “I think it’s very important to be idle…people who keep themselves busy all the time are generally not creative. So I am not ashamed of being idle.”

“In a recent survey, innovative people — from inventors to scientists, writers to programmers — were asked what techniques they used. Over 70% believed they got their best ideas by exploring areas they were not experts in”

“Howard H. Aiken, a famous inventor, said, “Don’t worry about people stealing your ideas. If your ideas are any good, you’ll have to ram them down people’s throats.”

“The love of new ideas is a myth: we prefer ideas only after others have tested them.”

“Nearly every major innovation of the 20th century took place without claims of epiphany.”

“Professional management was born from the desire to optimize and control, not to lead waves of change.”

“Einstein said, “ Imagination is more important than knowledge,” but you’d be hard-pressed to find schools or corporations that invest in people with those priorities. The systems of education and professional life, similar by design, push the idea-finding habits of fun and play to the corners of our minds, training us out of our creativity.[117] We reward conformance of mind, not independent thought, in our systems — from school to college to the workplace to the home — yet we wonder why so few are willing to take creative risks.”

“One way to think about epiphany is to imagine working on a jigsaw puzzle. When you put the last piece into place, is there anything special about that last piece or what you were wearing when you put it in? The only reason that last piece is significant is because of the other pieces you’d already put into place. If you jumbled up the pieces a second time, any one of them could turn out to be the last, magical piece. Epiphany works the same way: it’s not the apple or the magic moment that matters much, it’s the work before and after”

“The future never enters the present as a finished product, but that doesn’t stop people from expecting it to arrive that way.”

“In this age, being seen as an “expert” may have little bearing on the “expert’s” ability to do the thing she is supposedly an expert in.”
“The chief cause of problems is solutions. — Eric Sevareid”