![\"Idea](\"https:\/\/saravanan.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/IdeaAge.jpg\")
It is not a secret\u00a0that we are facing exponential threats from resource crunch and environmental degradation. This 5 post series argues that in response, we are inventing a new idea age.<\/p>\n It is not a secret\u00a0that we are facing exponential threats from resource crunch and environmental degradation. This 5 post series argues that in response, we are inventing a new idea age.<\/p>\n
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To understand creativity, we need to understand networks. ![\"Network\"](\"https:\/\/saravanan.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Network.jpg\")
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We can use the\u00a0image above to represent a single brain\u00a0by\u00a0taking\u00a0each “node” as an idea (or knowledge or information) inside that brain. Or we can use\u00a0the same image to represent creativity at the level of a society. Then each node is\u00a0taken to represent an individual brain. A network becomes ‘stronger’ when the number of nodes or\u00a0the\u00a0interconnection between the nodes increase. Now, let’s see how we can prepare ourselves for the idea age.<\/p>\n
We live in an exponential era\u00a0where changes happen in ever increasing pace. One\u00a0bad thing about the exponential era is that the difference between the winners and the ‘also-ran’ is huge. ![\"Exponential](\"https:\/\/saravanan.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/ExponentialEra.png\")
We are presently in an important point in history.\u00a0People who ride the\u00a0exponential tide\u00a0now\u00a0will have a very different future from the people who remain in the 20th century. Of course, we are not arguing\u00a0that the life in the bleeding edge of exponential era must necessarily be better than the slow and steady pace of the past. But some like it hot. And fast. Here are few simple things you can do to hitch your super-exciting exponential ride.<\/p>\n
Openness will be a substantially important hallmark of the idea age. People who operate with\u00a0paucity mind-set\u00a0are usually\u00a0too afraid to open up. In the Idea Age, operating\u00a0in isolation are too slow. Also, team consisting of different skill sets is usually much more effective\u00a0than a genius operating in isolation. The difference will be more striking with passage of time.<\/p>\n
What are the things that you are too afraid to share? What is the worst thing that will happen if you start sharing them? How do you know you are right about it?\u00a0Don't forget to\u00a0apply this question to your personal life too!<\/pre>\nBecome an Idea Altruist<\/h3>\n
In Idea Age, everyone has an idea that they don’t have enough time to implement. So, you are less likely to have your idea stolen today. Start sharing your ideas. You can start by sharing ideas\u00a0that are not critical to your livelihood. And then move on to sharing life-or-death secrets. When you start sharing\u00a0ideas, you become visible to others with similar interest. They might incorporate your ideas\u00a0in their scheme of things, or lend their ideas for you to use, there by making both of you better off.<\/p>\n
List three\u00a0ideas that you think others will benefit from. And how can you share them with others? Blog, FaceBook, talks, forums, interest groups, white papers, stories...?<\/pre>\nEducation and Experience<\/h3>\n
Education is a journey. Not a destiny. Never stop educating yourself.\u00a0We have cart load of online educations resources available these days. Some of them are listed below:<\/p>\n
Most online education resources\u00a0are free. There are interest groups, discussion forums, group efforts… In Idea Age, education is a life long process. Every time you learn something new, you increase the number of idea-nodes inside your brain.<\/p>\n
If self-education is not your cup of tea, try by\u00a0learning something that you love. It does't have to have practical value.<\/pre>\nOnce in a while, learn something that is completely unrelated and irrelevant to you. In an area where you already have proven expertise, any new learning will bring only incremental advantage. When you deal with a completely unrelated subject, anything you learn will increase your knowledge graph by a huge margin.<\/p>\n
Of course, we shouldn't forget that 'doing' is a form of learning too! So, go and do something that you haven't done before.<\/pre>\nMore importantly, block time out for solitude. Most people require some quite time once in a while to\u00a0digest and assimilate what they have learnt.<\/p>\n
Future favors the Networked<\/h3>\n
Idea Age is all about networking of ideas. Learning increases the number of idea-nodes inside your head. To increase the number of nodes outside your head, connect with other heads. Identify at least one person from each of the following category and connect with them:<\/p>\n
Have habits built into your life that provide ample networking opportunities. For example<\/p>\n
Of course, when you are expanding your network, you must take care to ensure that the quality of your network is maintained at all\u00a0times. Or else, you can easily end up being\u00a0inundated.<\/p>\n
Network. Look for\u00a0quality, similarity\u00a0and variety.<\/pre>\nHealthy Body and Brain<\/h3>\n
Of course, if you can’t maintain a healthy body and a physically fit brain, none of the above really matter. Here are some basic guidelines for maintaining healthy body and brain. These are rudimentary, but non-negotiable:<\/p>\n
Here are three best kept secrets that will help you live much longer and have a healthier life:<\/p>\n
In all probabilities,\u00a0Idea Age is mark of a new chapter in human history. By the time this renaissance is through,\u00a0our lives would have become\u00a0more different than any of us have dreamed of. When you prepare yourself to enter the Idea Age, I want you to\u00a0keep one thought in your mind: You are very likely to live past 100. If that is true, how do you plan to spend\u00a0the additional time?<\/p>\n
This post has four prequels and they are listed below in their order\r\n- Exponential Threats<\/a> identifies the growing threats that are going to hit is so fast we won't have a choice but to change our present way of living\r\n- In Exponential Technology<\/a>, we argue that our technology, our best ally, is not sufficient to tackle these threats. We will also need unprecedented level of human ingenuity.\r\n- In Origin of Ideas<\/a>, we ask where human ingenuity comes from.\r\n- In Age of Creativity<\/a>, we see that we are entering an era of unprecedented global creativity.<\/pre>\n