Where Good Ideas Come From

by Steven Johnson
Where Good Ideas Come From cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Science and Innovation
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Paperback • £10.99
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  • ID: 3283
  • Added: 2025-10-17
  • Updated: 2025-10-17
  • ISBN: 9781846140518
  • Publisher: Penguin UK
  • Published: 2010-10-07
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

In 'Where Good Ideas Come From,' Steven Johnson delves into the origins of groundbreaking ideas, drawing from his extensive experience in creative industries and a wide range of disciplines. He explores the historical significance of cities as hubs of innovation, the parallels between the printing press and modern technology like Apple, and the biological evolution of ideas. Johnson identifies five key principles that foster great ideas, from nurturing hunches to leveraging connectivity and new technologies. Johnson's engaging and culturally rich style makes complex concepts accessible, showing how radical innovation is within reach for those who understand the patterns of creativity. By examining examples from Charles Darwin to Tim Berners-Lee, he provides practical insights into how we can make more of our ideas truly groundbreaking.

Reviews
The Agile Academic · 2018-02-22
valuable 4.50

The book is loved for its emphasis on innovation as an act of paying attention rather than genius. The reviewer finds it highly valuable for both personal and educational purposes.

The Agile Academic's reviewer expresses a deep appreciation for the book, highlighting its emphasis on innovation as an act of paying attention rather than a stroke of genius. They find the book highly valuable for both personal growth and educational purposes, making it a great resource for students and professionals alike. The reviewer believes that the book's insights can help anyone understand the process of innovation better.

Quick quotes

    I love this book, for myself and for students, because it shows us that innovation isn't an act of genius, but an act of paying attention.

    The book is a great resource for anyone looking to understand the process of innovation better.

    The insights provided in the book are highly valuable for both personal and educational purposes.

The Telegraph · 2010-11-21
intriguing 3.50

The book challenges the notion of sudden eureka moments in innovation, suggesting that good ideas come from gathering hunches and connecting disparate realms. The reviewer appreciates the book's insights but finds it somewhat repetitive.

The Telegraph's reviewer delves into the idea that innovation is not a sudden bolt of genius but rather a process of gathering hunches and connecting seemingly unrelated concepts. They highlight how the book reveals hidden relationships and decodes ancient mysteries, making it an intriguing read. However, they also mention that the book can be repetitive at times, which slightly detracts from the overall experience.

Quick quotes

    Good ideas are not lightning bolts from out of the blue but are accessible to anyone who is willing to gather together the hunches, the strange.

    The book reveals hidden relationships between disparate realms, decodes ancient mysteries, argues that we all have untapped potential.

    The book can be repetitive at times, which slightly detracts from the overall experience.

Los Angeles Times · 2010-11-05
enlightening 4.00

The book is praised for its revelatory insights into the patterns of innovation and its ability to connect different realms. The reviewer finds the book enlightening and highly recommended.

The Los Angeles Times reviewer is captivated by Steven Johnson's ability to reveal hidden relationships and patterns in innovation. They appreciate how the book decodes ancient mysteries and argues that everyone has untapped potential. The reviewer finds the book enlightening and highly recommends it to anyone interested in understanding the origins of good ideas.

Quick quotes

    "Where Good Ideas Come From" reveals hidden relationships between disparate realms, decodes ancient mysteries, argues that we all have untapped potential.

    Johnson's insights are revelatory, identifying the seven key patterns behind genuine innovation.

    The book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the origins of good ideas.

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