Max Planck knew how to change the world.

His ideas around quantisation of energy completely revolutionised how we think about physics, the world around us, and how small things can become.

But he also knew that you cannot convince everyone that your new ideas are true. Some people will continue to resist new information, and actively hold back progress.

So this is why I love his blunt view on what it takes for a new consensus to build around radically new, creative ideas:

A new scientific truth does not triumph by convincing its opponents and making them see the light, but rather because its opponents eventually die and a new generation grows up that is familiar with it. . . .

An important scientific innovation rarely makes its way by gradually winning over and converting its opponents: it rarely happens that Saul becomes Paul.

What does happen is that its opponents gradually die out, and that the growing generation is familiarized with the ideas from the beginning: another instance of the fact that the future lies with the youth.
— Max Planck, Scientific autobiography, 1950, p. 33, 97

Not every idea needs to wait until the previous generation has completely died out.

Sometimes, the old guard just needs to see the benefits which the idea brought to other people.

But often, it takes time for the younger generation to get into a position where the ideas they believe in can be pushed into the forefront, and become the predominant view.

Did you know that scientific evidence shows your creativity decreases over time

Idea to Value Podcast: Listen and Subscribe now

Listen and Subscribe to the Idea to Value Podcast. The best expert insights on Creativity and Innovation. If you like them, please leave us a review as well.
Apple Podcasts
Google Podcasts
Spotify
Stitcher
The following two tabs change content below.
My Twitter profileMy Facebook profileMy LinkedIn profileMy YouTube channel

Nick Skillicorn

Chief Editor, Founder & CEO at Improvides Innovation Consulting
Creativity & Innovation expert: I help individuals and companies build their creativity and innovation capabilities, so you can develop the next breakthrough idea which customers love. Chief Editor of Ideatovalue.com and Founder / CEO of Improvides Innovation Consulting. Coach / Speaker / Author / TEDx Speaker / Voted as one of the most influential innovation bloggers.