“Every really new idea looks crazy at first.”

Alfred North Whitehead

Alfred North Whitehead was a British philosopher and mathematician born in 1861, whose ideas still inspire people today. Whitehead believed that reality is always changing, shaped by bold ideas that challenge the familiar.

One of his most famous quotes, “Every really new idea looks crazy at first,” captures this view. He understood that the ideas which push the world forward are often the ones that seem strange or impossible at first.

Whitehead’s quote shows us that when an idea is truly new, it rarely fits with what we already know. These ideas often ask us to see the world differently, which can make people doubt or reject them. But history shows us that many things we rely on today were once considered far-fetched. Whitehead reminds us that we shouldn’t dismiss ideas just because they seem “crazy.” Often, these ideas hold the potential to change everything.

Consider Orville and Wilbur Wright, two brothers who believed humans could fly. In 1903, after many failed attempts, they managed to get their plane off the ground. At the time, many people thought their idea was ridiculous. But the brothers persisted, and that single flight sparked a revolution in transportation. Just six decades later, humans would walk on the moon, a feat made possible because someone once dared to believe in what seemed impossible.

Whitehead’s quote isn’t just about big historical achievements. It also applies to the ideas we have in our daily lives. How often do we think of something different or bold but keep it to ourselves because we’re afraid others won’t understand? Maybe it’s a new way of solving a problem, a unique approach at work, or a creative project. Whitehead’s message encourages us to look closely at these ideas. Often, the ones that seem a bit too strange are the ones worth exploring.

For example, smartphones. Not too long ago, the idea of a pocket-sized device that could make calls, connect to the internet, and take photos or 8k videos sounded impossible. Remember, early mobile phones were big, heavy, and could only do basic tasks like make phone calls and send out texts. But as people kept refining the idea, smartphones became essential to modern life. Today, we rely on them for nearly everything, from staying connected to managing our daily tasks.

Or consider the internet. When it was first introduced, many people didn’t see why it was necessary. A global network to connect people across the world seemed extreme. Yet now, the internet is central to our lives. We use it to communicate, work, learn, and shop. What was once dismissed as an unnecessary idea is now a basic part of daily life.

These examples remind us that new ideas often feel uncomfortable because they challenge what we know. They ask us to consider possibilities we haven’t thought of before. Not every idea will be successful, and many great ideas take time to develop. But the process of improving an idea, even though failures, is what drives progress.

When people react to new ideas with doubt, it’s easy to feel discouraged. But Whitehead’s words remind us that initial doubt doesn’t mean an idea lacks value—it only means it’s new. The important part is to believe in the idea and give it a chance. Many of the world’s most impactful ideas were met with skepticism at first, but those who believed in them pushed forward, and those ideas eventually shaped the world.

Innovation requires courage and the willingness to take risks. The world moves forward because people dare to question what’s possible. Whitehead’s quote reminds us that progress isn’t found in staying comfortable; it’s found in taking chances on ideas that seem unusual. Those “crazy” ideas, the ones that seem too risky, are often the ones that lead to the biggest changes.

The next time a new idea pops into your head that feels “too bold,” take a closer look. What feels unfamiliar or strange now might be the first step toward something meaningful.

Ideas Trading Center (ITC) is an American company bringing to market a patent-pending, easy-to-use, platform that allows idea generators to sell their new, non-obvious, and useful ideas directly and confidentially to idea reviewers and/or buyers (www.IdeasTradingCenter.com).