Imagination Is More Important Than Knowledge

Imagination Is More Important Than Knowledge

Albert Einstein

I was at our favorite bar last night and a friend quoted Albert Einstein saying: "Imagination Is More Important Than Knowledge." I spent my entire life believing: "knowledge is king." However, I also know that Einstein was a genius, sooo, if he said that imagination is more important, who am I to question. 

But, now that I think about it, almost all of the technology we have today comes from people who have or had an unbelievable imagination. They see the world as it could be not what it is today. They make shit up and then get other people to create it. Almost all famous artists create with their imagination not with their knowledge.

I worked for a Corporation (Xerox) who, at that time, had a "not invented here attitude." You had to have the facts (knowledge) to get someone to listen to your idea. That attitude left little room for employees to be creative. 

There were so many barriers (executives, finance, manufacturing, etc.) for a great idea to get developed that some of the people left the company to create on their own. What did these people create? How about Adobe, the first PC and the Apple Macintosh. 

What do you think Xerox's net worth would be today if they owned all or part of those companies - A LOT MORE than they are worth today! 

I grew up with that company and had to leave because they frustrated me. However, they ingrained into my head that knowledge is king and having the facts was more important than using my imagination. I guess that's why I'm writing blogs for free (but I love it) instead of being rich.

I'm now much more of a believer that imagination is more important than knowledge. I can see better what things could be not just what they are today. 

For example, Uber is a company today that gives rides to people using their Mobil App. The idea was and is very creative and they are worth a shit load of money. But, let's not stop there (today). Their biggest expense is their drivers. Ten years from now they won't need drivers because they will use autonomous cars that drive themselves. Think of how much they will be worth then.

I love creative people. I love technology. I love the kind of world it will create in the future. Being in computers my entire working life I've seen how technology has improved people's lives. Yes, there is a downside, but there were a lot less accidents before cars were created, however, would any of us give up our cars today and commute by horse and buggy?

I DON'T THINK SO!!!