About Quote by E. L. Doctorow
“I discovered Einstein said the same thing about his celebrated theories of relativity that writers say about their work when he said he didn't have any feelings of personal possession of these ideas. Once they were out there, they came from somewhere else. And that's exactly the feeling when you write. You don't feel possessive about it.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, 1995
Ideas become detached from their creator once shared, feeling like they belong to a larger source.
In simple terms: Ideas feel like they belong to everyone after being shared.
Key Takeaway
Share work openly, let ideas flow.
Themes
creativity
ownership
humility
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- writing
- research
- collaboration
- teaching
Key Concepts
collective intelligence
intellectual humility
Questions to Reflect On
- How does sharing affect your sense of authorship?
- What responsibilities come with collective ideas?
A Different Perspective
Ideas may be co-opted or misinterpreted.
