Avoiding Quote by Henri Poincare
“Invention consists in avoiding the constructing of useless contraptions and in constructing the useful combinations which are in infinite minority.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Science and Method, Henri Poincaré, 1908
Innovation focuses on creating valuable, rare combinations rather than many useless inventions.
In simple terms: Innovation is about useful, rare combos.
Key Takeaway
Seek useful, rare combos.
Themes
creativity
efficiency
innovation
Mood
analytical
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- research labs
- product design
- software development
- policy making
Key Concepts
combinatorial theory
resource optimization
Questions to Reflect On
- What makes a combination useful?
- How can you identify the minority of valuable ideas?
A Different Perspective
Not all new ideas are valuable.
![“I can hardly believe what these 12 caricatures [about Prophet Muhammad] have caused in the world. We Danes feel like we have been placed in a scene in the wrong movie. But I don't see the fight as a clash of civilizations. Rather, we must focus on avoiding exactly this type of conflict. We have to…” quote by Anders Fogh Rasmussen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8d8/anders-fogh-rasmussen-21056_acknowledgement_i-can-hardly-believe-what-these-12-caric_14933.jpg)
