Discovered Quote by Madeleine L'Engle
““We tend to think things are new because we just discovered them.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Interview on Creativity, 1995
We label ideas as new simply because we have recently become aware of them, not because they are inherently novel.
In simple terms: Newness is often just recent awareness.
Key Takeaway
Recognize that many ideas are rediscoveries.
Themes
perception
novelty
knowledge
history
Mood
reflective
curious
Type
analytical
insightful
When to use this quote
- research
- teaching
- innovation
- personal growth
Key Concepts
Epistemology
cognitive bias
Questions to Reflect On
- How many “new” ideas are actually old concepts?
- What does this mean for valuing originality?
A Different Perspective
Often the label “new” can overlook prior work and cause redundancy.
