Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World

Imagine a world where most people simply accept the default settings in their lives—the default jobs, the default opinions, the default ways of doing things. This is the world many of us inhabit, often without realizing it. But what if the key to originality, to moving the world forward, is simply the courage to question these defaults? Originality begins with curiosity and the refusal to accept the status quo as inevitable. Consider the story of four students frustrated by the exorbitant cost of eyeglasses. They dared to ask why glasses were so expensive when the product itself was simple and unchanged for centuries. This question, seemingly obvious in hindsight, was revolutionary. It led them to challenge an 800-pound gorilla in the eyewear industry and create a company that sold affordable glasses online and gave away pairs to those in need.

This act of questioning the default is more than just a business insight; it’s a mindset. Psychologists call the tendency to accept and rationalize the status quo 'system justification.' Even those most disadvantaged by existing systems often defend them, because it reduces emotional discomfort. This paradox keeps many trapped in acceptance and stifles originality.

But originality requires seeing familiar things with fresh eyes—an experience called 'vuja de.' This reversal of déjà vu lets us see beyond inherited assumptions to new possibilities. It’s a moment of awakening that can lead to transformative change.

Interestingly, something as simple as which internet browser a person chooses can reveal this spirit of originality. Those who switch from default browsers to alternatives demonstrate a small but significant act of initiative. Such people tend to stay longer in their jobs, miss fewer days, and perform better. Small acts of questioning defaults can cascade into greater creativity and commitment in all areas of life.

As you reflect on your own life, consider where you might be accepting defaults uncritically. What assumptions have you never questioned? What small acts of initiative might open the door to originality? This mindset is the seed from which all creative destruction grows.

As we move forward, we’ll explore how originality is not just about ideas but about recognizing which ideas to pursue—because not every new thought is a good one. Let’s journey into the art and science of recognizing original ideas, where creators and evaluators face unique challenges.