Networked Knowledge and Combinatorial Creativity

Einstein

I like this picture.

I like this picture very much.

I like this picture because Einstein is and has always been a role model to me. When I was younger I would read biography after biography of Einstein that would help me piece together his life, his work, his family. All of it was interesting to me. He is the person who inspired me to want to become an engineer and now with college approaching fast, he will be the person in the back of my mind rooting me on.

But not only that. He taught me that it was okay to steal ideas. He took many different theories and ideas and old problems that stumped their creator and worked to turn them to reality, solve them. He took the ideas and problems to a new level.

 It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with problems longer. 
Albert Einstein 

Einstein was only considered brilliant because of his GRIT. He never gave up even through criticism and harsh words. Einstein believed that imagination trumped all the schooling he could have ever had for 

Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school. 
Albert Einstein 

That quote is important to me mainly because I am in school. Right now. Right this very moment. Typing this blog post. From reading this quote I feel like much of my life (my whole life) has been wasted. Wasted with school work that I honestly forget right after the final test. But that doesn't make me want to quit school. No. It makes me want to try harder to retain all that information and prove Einstein wrong. 

By proving him wrong and by taking his work to a new level, I feel that Einstein would be proud at my tenacity. I like the idea of proving things wrong or right...that's why I want to be an engineer. I get to prove this and that almost every day!

I understand that stealing is wrong. In some cases but I also feel that stealing can be great, if you turn what you stole into something amazing. Not just change it, but redesign it, remake it. Make it your own. As Einstein did with all the ideas and theories he brought to life. 

I want to be just like Einstein...But my own self. I want to keep his ideas alive and well and maybe change a few of the messages he was trying to create for as Austin Kleon said Imitation is NOT flattery. Transformation IS flattery. By transforming Einsteins work and creating newer greater projects I will be a copy cat. But I will also be an innovator. 

An as an innovator I give you this!

True Grit

No, not the movie.

Hello there!

It has been quite some time since I've visited this place. Well anyways, Grit. The basis of all things amazing. I mean it's not like someone could just will the first computer or song into being. It is all a matter of grit.

What is Grit you ask? Well I'll tell you. From the merriam-webster online dictionary Grit is

firmness of mind or spirit : unyielding courage in the face of hardship or danger

Grit. The word itself sounds harsh. 

But without this Grit, this courage, this unyielding power, there would be less progress, less wonderful things happening every day. Without Grit, people would give up at the slightest chance or resistance. No one would try new things. No one would want to do anything. No one would make a mistake, even if they could learn from it. 

Grit is what makes us humans such hard creatures to set astray. 

Grit is what makes artists try harder to reach new heights.

Grit is what makes scientists work harder to solve a big mystery.

Grit is what makes a mother carry and care for her child until grown.

Grit is what makes a person an individual. Without this Grit, a person would be monotonous and the same as all else for not trying anything or persevering.

Grit is what helped Joshua Bell, famous violinist, live through the 'embarrassment' of being ignored while playing famous and amazing tunes at a train station. Grit is what this young man had as he watched passerby ignore and rush by him.  

He did not like being ignored, but that only made him play harder, faster, stronger, better. That unyielding courage to keep on going even when no one cared. That ability to get over the crushing emotion and go for the win. That faith in the people who surrounded him. Grit at its finest. 

He grit his teeth and got through the hardship. Finally someone recognized Joshua Bell and acknowledged him. One out of a thousand. 

Speaking of one out of a thousand. There are many stories that involve grit. One of which is much like the story of wonderful Joshua Bell.

Just thirteen years old, a violinist protege, Justus Rivera, was playing one night on the streets by a park. Noticed by an onlooker, the famous Ashton Kutcher, filmed and praised the boy on his wonderful music. After putting his video on youtube this little boy became famous. Asked on to the Ellen Show and recognized now as people walk by. Justus Rivera had Grit.

He decided to play the violin at the age of about twelve. He decided that the lessons were moving too slowly so he taught himself. Now just a few months later, he is writing his own music and performing it on the streets. He works hard everyday for money and the correct inspiration for a new song. 

His Grit gave him the ability to face whatever was thrown his way, that made him famous. Grit is many things, but Grit will always be the one thing you can rely on when you need it most. Grit gives us hope. An embodiment of Grit can be a Japanese Daruma Doll, "you may knock me down many times, but I will always stand back up." 

And like the Daruma Doll, Grit can only be complete once you have accomplished your goal or task. If you wish to learn more on the Daruma Doll please click this link here.

All in all Grit is great. Grit will help us achieve our goal. Only you can have Grit for yourself. Only you can make your dreams come true. Only you can achieve the standard of Grit you wish for. 

Grit is the basis of progression.

Now as always the funny picture...

 That's not the type of Grit I was looking for...

Now which one was it again?