In this current day and age, advocating for independent thought and abstinence from public propaganda or general policy is seen as some sought of vile attitude or way of thinking.
The things is, independent thought has always been an attitude that has spawned a multitude of intellectuals and incredible thinkers including a new age of mentors and leaders. It is part of the reason innovation is propagates new technologies and ideas that serve as life-leaning solutions for many of our current day habitual problems and cumbersome challenges.
Although independent thought isn’t solely the custodian of innovation, it’s integration along with other methods of thinking and practice has made the success of many manufactured goods and services.
Steve jobs is a great example of how innovators utilise their independent thought by recombining what already exists in a new way. The creation of the iPhone didn’t idle just spawn out of no where. But from speculation of the concurrent nature of technologies and inventions of his time. Steve’s jobs saw that many things like phones (Nokia, blueberry etc), audio and mp3 players, touchscreens (but were inefficiently designed and clunky) and thought “what if all these features we integrated and combined into one single device?” This independent thought alone spawned an entire generation. of reliable smart phones and devices that were affordable with an easy and functional digital interface and touchscreen to interact with.
Bill gates also had an independent idea that brought an emergence of a new life changing technology that would take the world by storm. During his time, computers were large and increasingly sophisticated in functionality, performance and interaction. He figured that since one day every person will need such a device, that these computers would need to be in a much more efficient yet accessible, smaller and functionally secure. So he decided to work on software. He figured that for such a large yet smart device to be domesticated and largely accessible , it would have to be smaller.
In as much as the world encourages us to be followers and rely upon concurrent intellectual development instead of our own individual craft, we must learn that innovation sparked from independence. Although overlapping external influences and other factors had a relevant impact on these ideas, the basis of its premise all stood on independent thought. Not emotionally bagged flicks and ideas for cash grabs.