Relying on the kindness of strangers

Anthropology expert Jared Diamond argues that people need interaction to create and sustain new technologies. The Tasmanians, an isolated and dwindling population, demonstrated this when the sea between themselves and their Australian relatives rose, leaving them stranded without interaction. Under these conditions, they regressed in many ways and did not create or innovate new solutions or technologies. Interaction is, therefore, key to driving and sustaining innovation. Firms who engage with their customers, partners, and markets are at an advantage, as they are better able to identify and respond to customer needs. Thomas Edison serves as an example of the value of interaction in innovation, surrounding himself with experts from emerging industries that forced cross-pollination of ideas. Innovation flourishes through interaction, especially in a competitive market, where the best ideas propagate quickly. To be successful, a robust innovation cycle should be tied closely to a robust product development cycle.