NOTHING ORIGINAL ABOUT IT
Many years ago, we were inundated with the advertisement “Which is the Original?” and this is where the entire world has stopped at. There is nothing Original about it!
In a world that prizes originality and invention, it is easy to feel like we need to constantly come up with something original and groundbreaking. But what if I told you that nothing is truly original, and that's okay?
In fact, the idea that everything has already been thought of or done before can be a liberating and empowering concept. In this article, we'll explore the benefits of embracing unoriginality and why nothing new under the sun can be a beautiful thing.
Lets, take the corporate office as a showcase. It is common to speak in the same lingo as the boss - in fact copying the Superior is something that has been in trend since eons. I once had a boss, who used to pick the phone and say” Talk to me!” and soon the entire office was on Talk to me mode in the office.
Another favourite used to be copying the boss in the act of strolling with the wireless phone all and about while tinkering about with mundane stuff. Not only did every one love to copy this act but also our children, who aped us to the hilt.
How did I come about with this topic? It all started when an old HR colleague who was hit by the bee on the bonnet, when a colleague started copying her to no stopping. It all started with the brand discussion for lingerie and lo behold every female started wearing this expensive and famous brand. She was so irritated that she was red in the face. It’s a free world! Copying an idea is just simply put, influencing.
What is the hue and cry about? When songs and stories are copied and plagiarized left right and centre, where does a measly lingerie stand? Our Jugaad are cheap nothing but plagiarized ideas.
We see these photocopy’s in the daily language of Gen Z: Bro, Sick, Lol, Fomo, Yolo, Lit, Stan……goes on and on. Also noticed how the pronunciation of Breakfast is now Breakfist, because is now becazz and London now Londin, all of a sudden you realise the whole world is now caught up copying low grade pronunciation from America. Cest a La Vie! It starts with a Rihanna somewhere and the rest just copy, compare and compete to outdo. Quite a jugaad for the helpless!
The original idea is invention. When you modify and better the efficiency of the invention, its innovation. Cheap contraption, unsafe and unreliable is a Jugaad. Choice is ours as a nation.
The phrase "nothing new under the sun" originates from Ecclesiastes 1:9 in the Bible. This verse is part of the Old Testament, attributed to King Solomon, who is traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes. The full verse reads, "What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun."
The concept behind this phrase reflects the idea that human experiences, actions, and events are cyclical and repetitive. It suggests that despite the passage of time and the apparent novelty of new inventions, discoveries, or events, the fundamental aspects of human nature and life remain unchanged. People have always faced similar challenges, desires, and emotions throughout history, and the patterns of life tend to repeat themselves.
Nothing wrong about my HR friend making a hue and cry, however, in a broader sense, the above phrase can be seen as a commentary on the futility of seeking novelty for its own sake. It encourages a deeper understanding and appreciation of the present and the past, recognizing that while the specifics may differ, the underlying truths of existence remain constant. This perspective can foster humility, as it reminds us that our experiences are part of a larger, timeless human condition.
Another point of view - Why re-invent the wheel when you can copy and paste. However, when it comes to copying, then comparing and competing it does get on one’s nerve. While copying, comparing, and competing can drive improvement and innovation, they can also be sources of irritation and stress if not managed properly. So, just don’t go overboard in copying, comparing mine is better and then create a ticking bomb in relationship by competing on someone else’s idea of originality.
Each approach—copy, compare, and compete—has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. The key is to find a balanced approach that leverages the strengths of each while mitigating their weaknesses. Organizations and individuals can benefit from copying best practices, comparing themselves to benchmarks for continuous improvement, and competing to foster innovation and excellence. However, it's crucial to do so ethically, strategically, and with a long-term perspective in mind.
What is your take on this subject?