--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I advocate for protecting the new…" description: "\"“When I advocate for protecting the new, then, I am using the word somewhat differently. I am saying that when someone hatches an original idea, it may..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/480/ed-catmull-1553_quote_when-i-advocate-for-protecting-the-new-t_471506.jpg" --- # When I advocate for protecting the new, then, I am using… ![“When I advocate for protecting the new, then, I am using the word somewhat differently. I am saying that when someone hatches an original idea, it may be ungainly and poorly defined, but it is also the opposite of established and entrenched—and that is precisely what is most exciting about it. If…” quote by Ed Catmull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/480/ed-catmull-1553_quote_when-i-advocate-for-protecting-the-new-t_471506.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/480/ed-catmull-1553_quote_when-i-advocate-for-protecting-the-new-t_471506.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/480/ed-catmull-1553_quote_when-i-advocate-for-protecting-the-new-t_471506.jpg) > ““When I advocate for protecting the new, then, I am using the word somewhat differently. I am saying that when someone hatches an original idea, it may be ungainly and poorly defined, but it is also the opposite of established and entrenched—and that is precisely what is most exciting about it. If, while in this vulnerable state, it is exposed to naysayers who fail to see its potential or lack the patience to let it evolve, it could be destroyed. Part of our job is to protect the new from people who don’t understand that in order for greatness to emerge, there must be phases of not-so-greatness.”” [Ed Catmull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-catmull/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Protecting nascent ideas is essential because early vulnerability makes them prone to criticism that can stifle breakthrough innovation. **In simple terms:** New ideas need protection from premature judgment. Key Takeaway Guard early ideas from dismissive criticism. Themes creativity innovation risk development Mood cautious optimistic Type advisory inspirational When to use this quote - startup pitches - research labs - artistic projects - product design Key Concepts creative process idea incubation feedback loops Questions to Reflect On - How can we distinguish constructive feedback from destructive naysaying? - What safeguards help ideas thrive during early stages? A Different Perspective Not all criticism is harmful; some can improve ideas if timed well. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Advocate Protecting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advocate-protecting-4074597/) [Exposed Naysayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exposed-naysayers-4074598/) [Original idea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/original-idea/) [Protect New](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/protect-new-4074596/) [Protecting New](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/protecting-new-4074595/) ## Related quotes > [No, it's interesting to remake a film for the contemporary audience today. I think it's a good idea; it needs to respect the original…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dario-argento/no-it-s-interesting-to-remake-a-film-for-the-contemporary-audience/) [Dario Argento](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dario-argento/) > [If we want a better original idea, we must generate our own before we screen others' suggestions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-grant/if-we-want-a-better-original-idea-we-must-generate-our-own-before-we/) [Adam Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-grant/) > [Somewhere along the way, the idea, which I think was initially to get some fair transaction between people, went out the window. And what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/somewhere-along-the-way-the-idea-which-i-think-was-initially-to-get/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [The original idea of the web was that it should be a collaborative space where you can communicate through sharing information.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-berners-lee/the-original-idea-of-the-web-was-that-it-should-be-a-collaborative/) [Tim Berners-Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-berners-lee/) > [Harvey never had an original idea or thought in his life. I was out wandering around the country doing charity benefits, mainly, when I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-conway/harvey-never-had-an-original-idea-or-thought-in-his-life-i-was-out/) [Tim Conway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-conway/) > [The original idea of blog publishing was that writer and reader would be on the same level. That it would be a conversation -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-denton/the-original-idea-of-blog-publishing-was-that-writer-and-reader-would/) [Nick Denton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-denton/) > [My original idea was to produce and not make records myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-bone-burnett/my-original-idea-was-to-produce-and-not-make-records-myself/) [T Bone Burnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-bone-burnett/) > [I work off of my early demos. I'll keep adding on top of that, but I usually gravitate towards whatever that original idea was.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-granduciel/i-work-off-of-my-early-demos-i-ll-keep-adding-on-top-of-that-but-i/) [Adam Granduciel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-granduciel/) > [It's not really an original idea, but there's something that goes along with power and celebrity that starts to make you feel like you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-dee/it-s-not-really-an-original-idea-but-there-s-something-that-goes/) [Jonathan Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-dee/) > [Today, people tend to credit me with having the original idea and made the first circuits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kilby/today-people-tend-to-credit-me-with-having-the-original-idea-and-made/) [Jack Kilby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kilby/) > [“In your lifetime, if you can come up with one original idea, you have accomplished a great deal.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-roach/in-your-lifetime-if-you-can-come-up-with-one-original-idea-you-have/) [Max Roach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-roach/) > [Back then, when I had that original idea to write about the seventeenth century, the whole thing was set in 1666. I was thinking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-dutton/back-then-when-i-had-that-original-idea-to-write-about-the/) [Danielle Dutton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-dutton/) > [Is it an original idea? Or is it something where you're literally a creative collagist? You're taking pieces of the world that you see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abigail-washburn/is-it-an-original-idea-or-is-it-something-where-you-re-literally-a/) [Abigail Washburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abigail-washburn/) > [If you come up with the original idea on your laptop, anything else is an embellishment of that idea. It's nice to have the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hudson-mohawke/if-you-come-up-with-the-original-idea-on-your-laptop-anything-else-is/) [Hudson Mohawke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hudson-mohawke/) > [Look, I know you meant well creating the world and all, but how could you let it get away from you like this? How…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-monk-kidd/look-i-know-you-meant-well-creating-the-world-and-all-but-how-could/) [Sue Monk Kidd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-monk-kidd/) ## More by Ed Catmull > [“So I tell myself that I have time, even when I don’t. As in, ‘Okay, I’m going to proceed as if I have time—I’m…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-catmull/so-i-tell-myself-that-i-have-time-even-when-i-don-t-as-in-okay-i-m/) [Ed Catmull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-catmull/) > [“How, then, do you make failure into something people can face without fear? Part of the answer is simple: If we as leaders can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-catmull/how-then-do-you-make-failure-into-something-people-can-face-without/) [Ed Catmull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-catmull/) > [“Andrew Stanton says, adding that on each of his own films, he has made a point of doing this on a smaller scale, separate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-catmull/andrew-stanton-says-adding-that-on-each-of-his-own-films-he-has-made/) [Ed Catmull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-catmull/) > [“This was a success in itself, but it came with an added and unexpected benefit: The act of thinking about the problem and responding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-catmull/this-was-a-success-in-itself-but-it-came-with-an-added-and-unexpected/) [Ed Catmull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-catmull/) > [“This principle eludes most people, but it is critical: You are not your idea, and if you identify too closely with your ideas, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-catmull/this-principle-eludes-most-people-but-it-is-critical-you-are-not-your/) [Ed Catmull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-catmull/) > [“You might say I’m an advocate for humility in leaders. But to be truly humble, those leaders must first understand how many of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-catmull/you-might-say-i-m-an-advocate-for-humility-in-leaders-but-to-be-truly/) [Ed Catmull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-catmull/) > [“Rejecting failure and avoiding mistakes seem like high-minded”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-catmull/rejecting-failure-and-avoiding-mistakes-seem-like-high-minded/) [Ed Catmull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-catmull/) > [“The most productive creative sessions allow for the exploration of myriad trains of thought.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-catmull/the-most-productive-creative-sessions-allow-for-the-exploration-of/) [Ed Catmull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-catmull/) > [“My rule of thumb is that any time we impose limits or procedures, we should ask how they will aid in enabling people to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-catmull/my-rule-of-thumb-is-that-any-time-we-impose-limits-or-procedures-we/) [Ed Catmull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-catmull/) > [“Toy Story went on to become the top-grossing film of the year and would earn $358 million worldwide. But it wasn’t just the numbers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-catmull/toy-story-went-on-to-become-the-top-grossing-film-of-the-year-and/) [Ed Catmull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-catmull/) > [“THERE IS NOTHING quite like ignorance combined with a driving need to succeed to force rapid learning.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-catmull/there-is-nothing-quite-like-ignorance-combined-with-a-driving-need-to/) [Ed Catmull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-catmull/) > [“What makes Pixar special is that we acknowledge we will always have problems, many of them hidden from our view; that we work hard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-catmull/what-makes-pixar-special-is-that-we-acknowledge-we-will-always-have/) [Ed Catmull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-catmull/) > [“Every morning, as I walk into Pixar Animation Studios—past the twenty-foot-high sculpture of Luxo Jr., our friendly desk lamp mascot, through the double doors…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-catmull/every-morning-as-i-walk-into-pixar-animation-studios-past-the-twenty/) [Ed Catmull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-catmull/) > [“What makes Pixar special is that we acknowledge we will always have problems, many of them hidden from our view; that we work hard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-catmull/what-makes-pixar-special-is-that-we-acknowledge-we-will-always-have-2/) [Ed Catmull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-catmull/) > [“I believe that managers must loosen the controls, not tighten them. They must accept risk; they must trust the people they work with and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-catmull/i-believe-that-managers-must-loosen-the-controls-not-tighten-them/) [Ed Catmull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-catmull/) [Explore all 226 Ed Catmull quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-catmull/) ## More Original idea quotes > [No, it's interesting to remake a film for the contemporary audience today. I think it's a good idea; it needs to respect the original…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dario-argento/no-it-s-interesting-to-remake-a-film-for-the-contemporary-audience/) [Dario Argento](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dario-argento/) > [If you come up with the original idea on your laptop, anything else is an embellishment of that idea. It's nice to have the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hudson-mohawke/if-you-come-up-with-the-original-idea-on-your-laptop-anything-else-is/) [Hudson Mohawke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hudson-mohawke/) > [Is it an original idea? Or is it something where you're literally a creative collagist? You're taking pieces of the world that you see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abigail-washburn/is-it-an-original-idea-or-is-it-something-where-you-re-literally-a/) [Abigail Washburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abigail-washburn/) > [Back then, when I had that original idea to write about the seventeenth century, the whole thing was set in 1666. I was thinking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-dutton/back-then-when-i-had-that-original-idea-to-write-about-the/) [Danielle Dutton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-dutton/) > [“In your lifetime, if you can come up with one original idea, you have accomplished a great deal.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-roach/in-your-lifetime-if-you-can-come-up-with-one-original-idea-you-have/) [Max Roach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-roach/) > [Today, people tend to credit me with having the original idea and made the first circuits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kilby/today-people-tend-to-credit-me-with-having-the-original-idea-and-made/) [Jack Kilby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kilby/) > [It's not really an original idea, but there's something that goes along with power and celebrity that starts to make you feel like you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-dee/it-s-not-really-an-original-idea-but-there-s-something-that-goes/) [Jonathan Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-dee/) > [I work off of my early demos. I'll keep adding on top of that, but I usually gravitate towards whatever that original idea was.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-granduciel/i-work-off-of-my-early-demos-i-ll-keep-adding-on-top-of-that-but-i/) [Adam Granduciel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-granduciel/) > [My original idea was to produce and not make records myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-bone-burnett/my-original-idea-was-to-produce-and-not-make-records-myself/) [T Bone Burnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-bone-burnett/) > [The original idea of blog publishing was that writer and reader would be on the same level. That it would be a conversation -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-denton/the-original-idea-of-blog-publishing-was-that-writer-and-reader-would/) [Nick Denton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-denton/) > [Harvey never had an original idea or thought in his life. I was out wandering around the country doing charity benefits, mainly, when I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-conway/harvey-never-had-an-original-idea-or-thought-in-his-life-i-was-out/) [Tim Conway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-conway/) > [The original idea of the web was that it should be a collaborative space where you can communicate through sharing information.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-berners-lee/the-original-idea-of-the-web-was-that-it-should-be-a-collaborative/) [Tim Berners-Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-berners-lee/) > [Somewhere along the way, the idea, which I think was initially to get some fair transaction between people, went out the window. And what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/somewhere-along-the-way-the-idea-which-i-think-was-initially-to-get/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [If we want a better original idea, we must generate our own before we screen others' suggestions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-grant/if-we-want-a-better-original-idea-we-must-generate-our-own-before-we/) [Adam Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-grant/) > [Look, I know you meant well creating the world and all, but how could you let it get away from you like this? How…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-monk-kidd/look-i-know-you-meant-well-creating-the-world-and-all-but-how-could/) [Sue Monk Kidd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-monk-kidd/) [Browse all 55 Original idea quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/original-idea/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“When I advocate for protecting the new, then, I am using the word somewhat differently. I am saying that when someone hatches an original idea, it may be ungainly and poorly defined, but it is also the opposite of established and entrenched—and that is precisely what is most exciting about it. If, while in this vulnerable state, it is exposed to naysayers who fail to see its potential or lack the patience to let it evolve, it could be destroyed. 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