A Happy Accident: When Science Stumbles into Genius

作者：郭潔｜政治大學科技管理與智慧財產研究所 112屆科管組研究生。

研究興趣：服務創新、體驗設計、顧客旅程、航空產業

 

Recently, I found myself rather captivated by the notion of articulating scientific discoveries. Like a perfectly steeped cup of Earl Grey, this experience has prompted me to delve into the realm of serendipitous innovation - a subject that has quite elegantly captured my intellectual curiosity.

The Cinderella of Scientific Discovery 

Scientific Exaptation, if you will, is rather like discovering an overlooked debutante at the grand ball of innovation (Garud, Gehman, & Giuliani, 2018). It’s the remarkable transformation of seemingly redundant scientific findings into brilliant breakthroughs. One mustn’t be too hasty in dismissing results as futile, for in the proper moment and setting, something quite extraordinary might be quietly unfolding.

Tales of Fortuitous Fortune 

Consider, if you would, the rather splendid tale of Post-it notes. Spence Silver, in his laboratory, quite inadvertently concocted an adhesive that was, shall we say, reluctant to commit to its primary purpose. Initially deemed rather worthless, it took Art Fry’s brilliant spark of inspiration - employing it as a gentle bookmark - to transform this supposed failure into an indispensable office companion.

Then there’s the rather fascinating case of Viagra, originally conceived as a remedy for angina. When clinical trials proved disappointing, it seemed destined for obscurity. However, patients began reporting rather unexpected benefits, leading to its magnificent reinvention as a revolutionary treatment in men’s health.

Alternatively, the penicillin tale is the ultimate scientific fluke! Alexander Fleming, with a lab mess rivaling a teenager’s room, returned from holiday to find a cheeky mold gatecrashing his petri dish. Instead of binning it, he noticed the mold kicking bacteria out like an unwanted party guest. What looked like a disaster turned into medical gold, saving countless lives. Talk about finding a diamond in the rough! Fleming’s cluttered desk might’ve made others lose their marbles, but it paid off big time. Just proves, even in chaos, brilliance can bloom—one man’s mess is another man’s miracle!

Scientific Transformation in Three Steps 

The article eloquently presents Scientific Exaptation through three distinct movements: Maintenance, Activation, and Contextualization. Rather like preserving a fine vintage wine, maintenance involves safeguarding seemingly ineffectual discoveries. Activation arrives like a perfectly timed soirée, bringing diverse minds together to spark innovation. Contextualization, the final flourish, transforms abstract concepts into practical applications through cross-disciplinary discourse.

A Future Written in Whispers

The true elegance of serendipitous discovery lies not merely in its chance occurrence but in our capacity to recognize and nurture its potential. Much like a skilled gardener tending to unexpected blooms, organizations that master the art of maintaining, activating, and contextualizing ordinary scientific findings might just uncover extraordinary innovations lurking in the most unexpected corners of their laboratories.

Indeed, the next revolutionary breakthrough might well be nestled quietly in some forgotten experiment, rather like a precious gem waiting to catch the light at precisely the right moment. It’s simply a matter of having the wisdom to recognize it and the patience to let it flourish in its own time.

Reference

Garud, R., Gehman, J., & Giuliani, A. P. 2018. Serendipity arrangements for expating science-based innovations. Academy of Management Perspectives, 32(1): 125-140.