

The Columbus Egg Principle
13 snips Jul 4, 2025
Discover the fascinating Columbus Egg Principle, which emphasizes how groundbreaking ideas often meet with skepticism. The narrative dives into the story of Columbus and his witty challenge to nobility. It also highlights the importance of embracing unconventional thoughts for true innovation. Prepare to rethink how you perceive success and creativity!
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Columbus Egg Anecdote
- Christopher Columbus used a boiled egg to prove his point about innovation and discovery.
- By gently tapping the egg's tip to flatten it, he made it stand upright, showing an easy solution once known.
Obviousness Is Hindsight Bias
- Obviousness is often assigned after a breakthrough is achieved.
- Many revolutionary ideas initially face ridicule and disbelief before gaining acceptance.
Early Ridicule of Innovators
- Early skepticism met Airbnb, Apple, and Netflix despite their future success.
- Incumbents ridiculed, underestimated, or dismissed these companies' innovations initially.