Einstein: "The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources.&qu

Question:As with most pithy advice, it depends a lot on how you interpret it.

I am reminded of a saying sometimes attributed to Pablo Picasso: "Good artists borrow; great artists steal." If you ask yourself how that can be true, a way presents itself. A great artist can take an idea that was someone else's and make it so fully better and his own that the original idea looks like the cheap copy.

I think Einstein's quote may have been in the same light. He's saying that a great person isn't someone who has no sources - who derives everything himself - he's one who makes the sources unimportant. Certainly that was true for his own work... he performed no experiments nor invented new kinds of math. But he didn't need to credit those others because he took those existing ideas and used them in a way nobody had before. Pretty much the very definition of creativity.

That's my take, anyway, for what it's worth. Peace.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: As with most pithy advice, it depends a lot on how you interpret it.

I am reminded of a saying sometimes attributed to Pablo Picasso: "Good artists borrow; great artists steal." If you ask yourself how that can be true, a way presents itself. A great artist can take an idea that was someone else's and make it so fully better and his own that the original idea looks like the cheap copy.

I think Einstein's quote may have been in the same light. He's saying that a great person isn't someone who has no sources - who derives everything himself - he's one who makes the sources unimportant. Certainly that was true for his own work... he performed no experiments nor invented new kinds of math. But he didn't need to credit those others because he took those existing ideas and used them in a way nobody had before. Pretty much the very definition of creativity.

That's my take, anyway, for what it's worth. Peace.

no it's plagiarism

That's absolutely plagiarism.

Where did you read that? I never heard that before.

I don't think so. HE was a plagiarist? NOW I've seen it ALL!!

You failed already. You actually quoted Einstein instead of attributing the saying to yourself.

Unwise. Revealing your sources is the scientists' duty; it permits others to double-check and to build on the knowledge.

When we brainstorm, we build off others' ideas freely to encourage creativity.

[sigh] Whenever Albert got away from mathematical theories, he was wrong, it seems.

Is this wise advice? No
However, I suspect this phrase is just an attempt on behalf of Einstein to be witty. Otherwise, why would he admit it if the secret is all about hiding it?

I'd say if you wanted to share it all with the world then yes, however, if you want the credit and not get it stolen by others working on your work however, taking it further. Then I'd say no.

Like what TR said, I think it's the concept of building off of other's ideas for the sake of creativity. I don't see this as plagiarism. If that's the case, they everyone plagiarizes because every idea/thought come from somewhere else with the intent on making it better. I don't believe Einstein was promoting the the theft someone else's idea and make your own but making a new association between existing ideas or concepts.

Source information is data that can be books, online, people, movies, TV shows, or a word you overhear - help guide you and creates thinking patterns. So, in that way, hiding your sources can be good.

Never copy word for word what anyone else has written without giving them credit, or you could be a plagerist. Very bad for your reputation.

Don't make up stories and then claim they are true -- newscasters have done this and when the truth comes out, they have lost all credibility.

Good Luck.

Keeps the competition at bay.

Well, plagerist or not, I never tell people what colors to mix to get my hues of sunrise and sunset in my paintings....it's my invented mystery. MINE, I tell you! MINE!!

I agree with most of your answers,especially elyslund. I
loved her answer.

That doesn't sound like something Einstein would have said

No, only if you learn from your mistakes.

I never thought he would say a think like that. In fact that would be one of his most famous quotes in years past if he had said that by journalists.