Kevin Ashton

Condensed Summary: How to Fly a Horse by Kevin Ashton

Overview

How to Fly a Horse is a thought-provoking book by Kevin Ashton that challenges some popular notions of creativity and innovation. Ashton emphasizes the importance of hard work, perseverance, and collaboration in the creative process. Drawing on a wide range of examples from history and contemporary culture, he debunks the myth of "eureka" moments and provides insights into how true innovation is often the result of incremental work and learning from failures.

Key Points / Ideas

1. Innovation is not a divine gift: The author argues that innovation is not a mysterious or inherent talent but a result of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. He debunks the myth of "creative geniuses" and highlights the importance of putting in the effort to develop new ideas and solutions.

2. Success and failure: Ashton emphasizes the essential role of failure in the pursuit of innovation. He illustrates this with numerous examples of inventions and scientific breakthroughs that were the result of trial and error. Failure, according to the author, is not a setback but a necessary step towards success.

3. Collaboration and diverse perspectives: The book highlights the power of collaboration and the blending of different perspectives and backgrounds in the creative process. Ashton argues that innovation flourishes when people with diverse expertise come together and combine their knowledge and experiences.

4. Incremental progress and iteration: The author emphasizes the importance of incremental progress and iteration in the creative process. He posits that genuine innovation often arises from small improvements or modifications over time. Great ideas are rarely born fully-formed but rather evolve through continuous refinement.

Evidence and Examples

To support his arguments, the author provides a range of compelling evidence and examples from various disciplines:

- Thomas Edison's numerous failed attempts before successfully inventing the electric light bulb.

- The development of the printing press by Johann Gutenberg as a culmination of centuries of incremental advancements in moveable type and papermaking.

- The collaborative efforts of the Wright brothers to build the first successful airplane, combining their expertise in engineering, mechanics, and aerodynamics.

Conclusion

In How to Fly a Horse, Kevin Ashton challenges the notion that creativity and innovation are the sole domain of "geniuses" and provides a refreshing perspective on the creative process. Drawing on historical examples and contemporary stories, the author emphasizes the importance of hard work, collaboration, and learning from failure. This book serves as a reminder that anyone can foster innovation by embracing a determined mindset and approaching challenges with persistence and an open mind. For those interested in exploring the topic further, similar books worth considering include The Lean Startup by Eric Ries and Originals by Adam Grant.