Ask Lemmygrad

An innovation is a solution to a problem, peoples need solutions to their problems. It's that simple.

Its a vague statement. Not specific enough to be true or false.

We can be more specific by saying something like, "inventions and ideas will become refined and widespread when they are beneficial, useful, and practical." Or maybe "necessity is a crucible for refining ideas and inventions."

Even these are only roughly applicable as a generalization and a statement could only be said to be true when given specific conditions and detailed investigation.

For example, the basics of steam power were understood back in ancient Rome, but they didn't make any steam engines to convert heat to useful work. Why? Because they didn't need to. They also likely didn't have the requisite industry to make and maintain them in any useful capacity. The engine was invented before it was necessary, but it didn't become widespread until material conditions made it useful.

Even ideas like socialism have existed for a very long time, but the only place we see it kicking off (so far, inshallah) is within the places that need it the most. Was it invented in those places? No. Was it refined through those struggles? Of course it was.

There's many mothers of innovation. If you would call something the mother of all innovation, it would be inspiration. And inspiration can be caused by anything. Necessity, sure. But also laziness, curiosity, boredom, irritation, competition, greed/profit, desire for fame, desire for doing good, or just pure unadulterated randomness.

There's something to be said about necessity driving useful innovation in capitalism.

I mean, it’s just an aphorism. And as @[email protected] rightly said, laziness has driven much invention, as has boredom, and curiosity, and the profit motive, and probably several other things.

These questions kinda get on my nerves.

Laziness is the true mother of invention. Almost everything has been invented by people who wanted to do less work.

I'd give it a 7.5-8/10 on the trueness scale that I just imagined into existence.

I thought it was ~~"mother of invention"~~ Frank Zappa and the mothers of invention?