IDEAS RULE THE WORLD

From the time of the great philosopher Plato until now, Ideas have proven invaluable to humanity and the progress of the quality of life. According to The Merriam Webster dictionary ”an idea is a formulated thought or opinion”

The importance of ideas cannot be overemphasized. Every notable invention started with an idea, the best books written, the best musical pieces composed, the most effective movements and revolutions, the best speeches given can all be traced to an idea. A man’s greatest asset is his mind; therefore refusing to develop one’s mind is absolute disservice to one’s destiny because when you sow an idea or thought which develops in your mind, you reap an action, when you sow an action you reap a character, when you sow a character you reap a destiny.

Nelson Mandela had an idea which later became an ideal which he lived and was ready to die for. It was the actualization of a democratic and freely elected government. Though the idea suffered massive opposition, it initiated the birth of an apartheid – free South Africa. The idea Nelson Mandela believed in and fought for has not only liberated South Africa from oppression but also conferred on him a status that very few attain in history. He is unarguably one of the most respected personalities ever and this can be traced to a major source; the idea of a free and democratic South Africa.

Orville and Wilbur Wright, the two brothers credited with the feat of inventing and building the first ever airplane described their experience with a toy they had children as the initial spark that created their interest in flying. This spark can be referred to as ‘an idea’. The brothers nurtured this spark and the whole world is grateful to them for the aeroplane.

The statue of David in Florence, Italy is an example of the far reaching effects of ideas, the legendry sculptor, Michelangelo Buonarroti had a block of marble standing over seventeen feet high in his studio for close to twenty – five years. However, when a committee of artists of the ancient city of Florence commissioned the sculpting of this statue, the idea came into Michelangelo’s mind. While looking at an almost abandoned piece of marble, he saw with his mind the finished statue of David. This statue is the most popular of all the sculptures he worked on during his brief life, truly a statue of global recognition.

It is worthy to note however that a lot of people treat ideas with levity, they scorn inspirations and thoughts that if valued could generate millions monetarily. Many people fail to understand that money, people, power and generations answer to men who think up and cultivate ideas.

In conclusion, the popular “spark of genius” or “waoh effect” that a lot of organizations nations and institutions seek is simply a great idea that any disciplined mind can generate. How I wish that my active, fast – paced, impatient, present day Nigerian youth would slow down, be still and stir up some stupendous world – changing ideas after the order of Philip Emegweali the father of the internet.