The document discusses how ideas form and evolve. It explains that understanding how ideas are developed can help with creativity and problem solving. It describes seven steps for generating ideas, including gathering information, finding connections between facts, incubating ideas unconsciously, and getting feedback to further develop ideas. The document also discusses how ideas can spread and evolve over time, noting factors like diversity, collaboration, and flexibility that allow ideas to adapt, as well as how ideas can be hindered from evolving.

2. WHY LEARN ABOUT IDEAS
The more you know about how
we form ideas, the better you’ll be
at coming up with them! Stay
curious.
Creativity makes you a better
problem solver
People with ideas are valuable!
Self- portrait of Curiosity in Gale Crater on the
surface of Mars (October 31, 2012)

3. Relative understanding
We often use words and ideas we only understand in
context. After a lot of years, they finally begin to sink
in.
Time Spiral. Digital image. Images For Time Spiral. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 May 2015. <http://imgkid.com/time-spiral.shtml>.

4. Seven steps to having ideas
James Webb young in his book ‘A Technique for
Producing Ideas’ says the ability to see relationships
between facts is the most important factor in coming up
with ideas.
<http://brucemctague.com/ideas-questions-and-bathrooms>.

5. Gathering Information
This is the raw material for an idea. Cultivate it through
these tried- and- true channels:
read widely
have an active interest in life & the world
Pay attention to how people live, what they think, and
how they behave

6. Digest the raw material
Work that information
and find connections!
As James Webb says,
“This part of the
process is harder to
describe in concrete
terms because it goes
on entirely inside your
head”.
The Illustrated Professor: notes on neural theories of metaphor.
<http://www.theillustratedprofessor.com/drawing-out-metaphors-week-1/>

7. Incubate your idea…
By putting it completely out of your mind!
“I guess I’m spacing out”. ItsOreki. <http://itsoreki.deviantart.com/art/I-guess-I-m-spacing-out-347907331>.

8. A Wild Idea Appears
Eureka!
Creating Ideas. Digital image. Pixgood. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 May 2015. <http://pixgood.com/creating-ideas.html>.

9. Exposure to Reality
Shape and develop
your idea
Share your idea
Rinse and repeat
Ideas shared are ideas aired. http://www.mindmapinspiration.com/ideas-shared-are-ideas-aired/

10. Ideas that relate
“It is not the strongest
of the species that
survives, nor the
most intelligent… it is
the one that is most
capable to change.” –
Charles Darwin
Dawkins/ Darwin Memes. Memebase. Cheezburger.com, <http://memebase.cheezburger.com/>.

11. Meme theory in life
Cheyenne Teepee
Sioux Teepees
Blackfoot TeepeeComanche Teepees Shoshone Teepee
Digital images. Historic Photos of Tipis. <http://www.tipis.org/historic_photos_of_tipis.htm>.

12. Meme theory in life
Note: open crowns, flat brims, a
couple hand rolled brims (shaped simply
by picking them up over and over)- and one
hat shaped by sleeping on it as a pillow.
Matador Land and
Cattle, Texas, 1891.
Rich, Curtis R. "In Search of the Real Cowboy Hat." Both images.

13. Meme theory in life
Coca Cola Collectibles. Collectors Weekly. Collectors Weekly. Web. 03 May 2015. <http://www.collectorsweekly.com/coca-cola/overview>.

14. Behind the Wheel of Idea
Evolution
Encourage diversity
Collaboration
Strategic flexibility
Understand your role
Fishburne, Tom. Evolution of an idea. Marketoonist.
<http://tomfishburne.com/2011/07/evolution-of-an-idea.html>
There are four primary elements to Darwin’s theory of
evolution, which theoretically applies to ideas…

15. Environmental Change
Is the internet making us dumber? <https://www.sodahead.com/united-states/is-the-internet-making-us-dumber/question-1088263/?page=3&postId=36725335#post_36725335>

16. Superfecundity
Organisms reproduce faster than they need to survive.
Pat Linse, http://www.susanblackmore.co.uk/Articles/sk97.html

17. Variation
Rapid genetic drift over three generations:
O'Neil, Dennis. Rapid Genetic Drift over Three Generations. Digital image. Small Population Size Effects.

18. Replication
“I have a great idea for a necklace” <http://laurabrackenblog.blogspot.com/2014/09/teryl-rotherys-cedar-cove-earrings.html>.

19. Things that hinder idea evolution
Fishburne, Tom. Survival of the Safest. Marketoonist. <http://tomfishburne.com/2006/10/survival-of-the-safest.html>

20. How Ideas Spread: Whose Norms Matter? Norm Localization and Institutional Change in
Asian Regionalism." Cambridge University Press 58.2 (2004): 239-75. Jstor. International Organization
Foundation. Web. 24 Apr. 2015. <http://www.jstor.org/stable/3877858>
Alan, Henry. "Why Great Ideas Always Come In the Shower (and How to Harness Them)."
Lifehacker. N.p., 7 Aug. 14. Web. 24 Apr. 2015. <http://lifehacker.com/why-great-ideas-always-come-in-
the-shower-and-how-to-h-1617303016>
Liikkanen, Lassi A., and Matti Perttula. "Inspiring Design Idea Generation: Insights From A
Memory-Search Perspective." Journal Of Engineering Design 21.5 (2010): 545-560. Academic Search
Premier. Web. 24 Apr. 2015.
Vaidya, Anjali. "The Evolution of Ideas." The Evolution of Ideas. Serendip, Spring 2005.
Web. 24 Apr. 2015. <http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/sci_cult/evolit/s05/web1/avaidya.html>
Hughes, Jonnie. "Meme Theory: Do We Come up with Ideas or Do They, in Fact, Control
Us?" The Independent. Independent Digital News and Media, 14 July 2012. Web. 24 Apr. 2015.
<http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features/meme-theory-do-we-come-up-with-
ideas-or-do-they-in-fact-control-us-7939077.html>.
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