Often I find myself reluctant to "let ideas go" for fear that they are ill-formed and may reflect badly on me, or even be shot down (often for legitimate reasons). But Albrecht Durer, a German painter, printmaker, engraver, mathematician, and theorist from Nuremberg in the 1400-1500s reminds us of the value others can add if we let go.
"But I shall let the little I know or have learnt go forth into the day in order that someone better than I may guess the truth, and in his work may prove and rebuke my error. At this I shall rejoice that I was yet the means whereby this truth has come to light."
How often do we let an idea languish when we have run out of energy and inspiration to develop it fully, or become paralysed by analysis? How often do we miss a rich discussion drawing on other perspectives and experiences? What's wrong with my idea coming back in a better, more effective form?
