Smart may have the brains, but stupid has the balls.
Sometimes it’s smart to be stupid and create by intuition,
to speak to the heart and not solely to the mind.
Listen to the pumping beats of a 2013 Formula One car, then the neutralized sound of its 2014 counterpart. The difference is stark. The older car is loud, irrational, and thrilling. The newer car is quieter, conforming to safety standards, but lacks the visceral excitement. Most racing fans would gladly bring back the earsplitting sound if given a choice. It was that irrationality that made Formula One so captivating.
Smart means rules, and rules mean limitations.
Rational logic demands standards, yet humans constantly seek to break free from them. Rules are superficial; our true drive is to survive and improve. We've done this for millennia through instinct, intuition, and exploration. We climbed mountains, sailed oceans, and even reached the moon. There was no rational reason, except that we are explorers by nature. It was smart to be stupid.
Survival of the fittest.
Now, our lives are dominated by algorithms and automation. While intended to improve our lives, it often falls short. Our brains are satisfied, but our hearts yearn for something more. We've become lazy, relying on technology for discovery.
Take Spotify, for example. Initially, it was pure magic, opening up a world of new music. But years later, I'm trapped in an endless loop of the same genre. The algorithm has categorized me as an Indie listener, making it harder to break free. The same goes for Netflix; the more it learns about me, the harder it is to escape its recommendations. While tailored suggestions are nice, unexpected discoveries are what truly enrich us.
Over time a single sentence creeps into our lives. Don’t be stupid. It’s the crusher of possibility. It’s the world’s greatest deflator.
We are constantly told, "Don't be stupid." This phrase crushes possibilities and stifles creativity. In every relationship, be it human or artificial, there's a balance between discovery (stupid) and certainty (smart). Data isn't the problem; it's essential for improving experiences. But data alone makes us lazy. Instead of exploring and being amazed, we let technology do it for us.
Smart might recognize things for how they are, but stupid sees things for how they could be.
Data can't predict the future because it's based on the past. It can only optimize what's already known. Data offers certainty, but when it rules over creativity, it becomes a problem.
Some companies are recognizing this. They understand that while data is invaluable, creativity is the key to unlocking new opportunities. Labs are established for groundbreaking creative work, and even the French army hires science fiction writers to imagine future threats. Futurists and creatives are thriving in tech companies, envisioning the future of banking, transportation, and entertainment.
Jules Verne imagined a moon landing in his novel "From the Earth to the Moon," a reality that was achieved 104 years later. Artists and writers have always been prescient thinkers.
It's smart to be stupid.
Our world is overflowing with data, and it's becoming increasingly dominant in how we create new things. It's time to shift the balance. We are still the same explorers from thousands of years ago, yearning for wonder and a life that isn't predictable. Sometimes, it's smart to be stupid, to create by intuition, to speak to the heart, not just the mind. If Henry Ford had relied solely on data 120 years ago, we might still be riding horses, albeit slightly faster ones.
It’s Time
Do you feel like something needs to change, but are you still trying to figure out what, or where to start? We are happy to help. Contact us today at hello@restlessminds.be
