The best ideas arise from a passionate interest in commonplace things.
Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider ways in which the statement might or might not hold true and explain how these considerations shape your position.
The speaker asserts that passionate interest in commonplace things leads to the best ideas, suggesting that this interest motivates individuals to delve into the innermost workings of objects and to unearth their hidden potential. While I largely agree with this assertion, I question its veracity. Even a cursory examination of the history of ideas will confirm that while the passion for commonplace things is a driving factor, it is not the sole factor in determining whether an idea will be successful
The fact that mundane objects such as pens, pencils, and paper have inspired some of the greatest minds in art, science, and literature has undoubtedly shaped society’s view of those objects. However, this inspiration is fickle, and, as history has repeatedly shown, great thinkers have been inspired by a seemingly mundane source only to have their enthusiasm fizzle out over time. For example, when Leonardo da Vinci, famous for his invention of the helicopter, was asked what inspired his idea for a flying machine, he is said to have responded, ‘A machine that flies through the air.’ Although this statement may seem innocuous, it reveals an apathy and indifference to his project that caused his idea to be sidelined by other inventors. Such a statement, combined with Leonardo’s inability to seek out and collaborate with other inventors, undoubtedly hindered his progress. Fortunately, he did eventually succeed, and, in doing so, he demonstrated the importance of seeking out and interacting with others and showing others that your passion for your endeavor does not diminish over time
The notion that the passion that fuels the passion for the commonplace leads to the best ideas is flawed, in my opinion, because while this passion is necessary for an idea to take root, it is not sufficient. Ideas can take on a life of their own and evolve into something far beyond what was originally conceived. For example, the invention of the telegraph did not come from an enthusiastic interest in commonplace telegraph machines. Instead, the idea for the telegraph grew out of experiments with electricity that the great inventor, Samuel Morse, was conducting. Morse initially used the telegraph to send messages between buildings, but his passion for the utilitarian use of the telegraph soon gave way to the desire for a communication device that was faster and more reliable than his telegraph. He began to envision a communication device that could transmit messages over a greater distance, and eventually Morse succeeded in constructing the telegraph that made the transmission of messages over long distances possible
While it is true that passion is necessary for an idea to take root, at some point, the idea must move into the realm of practicality. What began as a passion for a commonplace object can evolve in the minds of innovators into a burning desire to improve the world. This desire can fuel individual inventors, but it can also fuel groups of people who work together, such as scientists, artists, and inventors. As these groups of people work together, their combined passion for their common goal can result in advances in science and art. For example, the collaboration of Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell, along with several other scientists and engineers, led to the invention of the telephone. Their passion was so great that they attempted to convince others to adopt the telephone as well, despite the fact that it was very expensive and required a great deal of maintenance. The fact that this group persisted in their efforts and, as a result, developed the telephone, demonstrates the importance of having a common goal and working together to achieve that goal
The notion that passion, while necessary, is not sufficient for great achievement is amply demonstrated by the achievements of the Wright brothers. The Wright brothers were passionate about flying, and their passion for flying led them to pursue the development of a flying machine. Their passion was so strong that they gave up successful careers, including teaching, to pursue their idea. Their passion for flying eventually inspired other inventors to develop their own flying machines. However, without the combined efforts of Wilbur and Orville Wright, it is unlikely that their idea would have succeeded. The Wright brothers’ passion for flying was crucial to the development of aviation. However, their commitment, persistence, and indefatigability were also crucial
In sum, while passion for the commonplace is necessary for an idea to take root, it is not the sole factor in determining whether an idea will be successful. The passion must continue to grow over time if it is to be carried to new heights. Additionally, the focus of the idea must evolve from a purely utilitarian purpose to a quest to improve the world.