Quote:
Originally Posted by aerohead
Here's a example:
1) Nikola Tesla gets an idea for an Alternating Current power generation distribution network to compete against Edison's DC system.
2) The idea is a complete scientific abstraction. It's never been done before.
3) To actualize the concept will require millions of dollars, something Tesla doesn't have.
4) J.P. Morgan, smelling $ hundreds of millions in profits, underwrites the legal fees for U.S. and International Patents, to protect J.P. Morgan and Tesla against infringement.
5) The U.S. Patent Office grants the patent for the 'idea.'
6) Now protected against piracy of their intellectual property, J.P. Morgan opens his purse strings to, research, develop, construct, and commercialize the AC power industry.
It was all just an idea. Very few people on Earth could even grasp the concept of alternating current, let alone, drop a few million dollars to 'explore' the idea.
A contemporary example is Tesla's 'one-piece' automotive metal castings. A patented idea.
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Interesting, I had the "idea" that the protagonist here is out to lunch on his double down stance on "ideas alone are worthless", and you present a list of "ideas alone" that actually evolved into rather remarkable accomplishments, and our protagonist sticks to his guns poo pooing ideas.
Makes you wonder why he even explores his own ideas to decide if they are even worthy, ie catch 22.
It appears the "worthiness" factor on ideas may really center on whether they are his or not, but that's just a idea I have.
