But one good idea may require a lifetime of preparation. The problem here is that we tend to see things in isolation, as events unto themselves, but they are always a product of a process of development.
To quote from the capitalist’s hymnal, even if you have a hundred good ideas, that doesn’t make you smart unless you can figure out how to monetize them. By this standard, Tim Berners-Lee, the guy who invented the world-wide web, is a complete moron, because he just gave it away for free.
Some of my friends bubble over with ideas… and some of them are good, but sorting the good ones from the stream is nigh impossible. It’s hard to remember that I have to keep listening. Some are full o bull, but occasionally there’s a gem amongst the stink, and it’s hard to remember that I have to keep listening. Some are quietly productive, but not usually all that creative. However, they do come up with something excellent every once in awhile. You see the pattern. And there’s a whole nother thing about what kind of creativity: Some folks have creative dance moves, some have creative story ideas, some create music, clothing, sculpture or photographs, some create gardens, some create puns…
There’s a little plaque hanging in my house that quotes Ernest Hemingway: “One cat just leads to another.” There are also four cats living in my house, so Hemingway knew of which he spoke (like there was much doubt of that anyway).
I was going to go off on a tangent about how good ideas are like cats, that one just leads to another, and that if you settle for just one you aren’t doing anyone any favors. But that’s wrong. Right about the ideas, wrong about the cats. While I personally believe that two cats are easier than one cat (and readily admit that four can be too many for some households, though clearly not mine or Hemingway’s), if you have just one cat you’re still doing yourself and the cat a big favor.
So I’ll walk it back, but only partway back, and say that good ideas may or may not be like cats, but cats are definitely a good idea.
Chrisdiaz801 over 4 years ago
Miss Plainwell’s talking about you, Frazz, isn’t she?
RAGs over 4 years ago
A good idea is something to build on, so don’t stop there.
whahoppened over 4 years ago
Good runs are like good hugs, they have to be renewed often.
sandpiper over 4 years ago
With perseverance, that one good idea could become the basis for great discovery or the founding of a major industry.
oakie817 over 4 years ago
is this a political joke?
jessegooddog over 4 years ago
Smart people know they still have much to learn.
colcam over 4 years ago
If a person has one good idea and it changes the world for the better— smart is an understatement.
mjkaswan Premium Member over 4 years ago
But one good idea may require a lifetime of preparation. The problem here is that we tend to see things in isolation, as events unto themselves, but they are always a product of a process of development.
Richard S Russell Premium Member over 4 years ago
To quote from the capitalist’s hymnal, even if you have a hundred good ideas, that doesn’t make you smart unless you can figure out how to monetize them. By this standard, Tim Berners-Lee, the guy who invented the world-wide web, is a complete moron, because he just gave it away for free.
DonLee2 over 4 years ago
My guess is Mallett ran into one of those “Hey, you should do a strip about this idea I had!” people.
joshschr Premium Member over 4 years ago
This particular strip is one good idea.
Concretionist over 4 years ago
Some of my friends bubble over with ideas… and some of them are good, but sorting the good ones from the stream is nigh impossible. It’s hard to remember that I have to keep listening. Some are full o bull, but occasionally there’s a gem amongst the stink, and it’s hard to remember that I have to keep listening. Some are quietly productive, but not usually all that creative. However, they do come up with something excellent every once in awhile. You see the pattern. And there’s a whole nother thing about what kind of creativity: Some folks have creative dance moves, some have creative story ideas, some create music, clothing, sculpture or photographs, some create gardens, some create puns…
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] over 4 years ago
Blog PostsFrazz13 hrs ·
There’s a little plaque hanging in my house that quotes Ernest Hemingway: “One cat just leads to another.” There are also four cats living in my house, so Hemingway knew of which he spoke (like there was much doubt of that anyway).
I was going to go off on a tangent about how good ideas are like cats, that one just leads to another, and that if you settle for just one you aren’t doing anyone any favors. But that’s wrong. Right about the ideas, wrong about the cats. While I personally believe that two cats are easier than one cat (and readily admit that four can be too many for some households, though clearly not mine or Hemingway’s), if you have just one cat you’re still doing yourself and the cat a big favor.
So I’ll walk it back, but only partway back, and say that good ideas may or may not be like cats, but cats are definitely a good idea.