Where Good Ideas Come From

Key Concepts and Strategies

The book «Where Good Ideas Come From» by Steven Johnson explores the history of innovation and the ways in which ideas develop and come to life. The author argues that innovations are most often the result of network formations—extended periods of preparation and interaction between various ideas and concepts. Johnson analyzes how «liquid networks» in urban or online spaces encourage creative thinking and innovation. He introduces the notion of the «adjacent possible», explaining how the combination of different ideas can create something new and valuable. The author also examines the importance of chance events and how they can lead to breakthrough discoveries. The thesis on the cumulative structure of knowledge emphasizes that the creation of new ideas requires the freedom to exchange information and knowledge. In conclusion, strategies are proposed to stimulate and support innovation on both individual and collective levels.