Dixya Poudel

Human beings are known to be inherently inventive in nature. As humans evolved throughout time, they grew in their intellectual stature and the result can be seen in the palm of our hands. Mobile phones are the latest tech incorporated in our lifestyle and each new generation of mobile phones sees novel changes that outsmarts the previous generations. However, mobile phones are just an example of the vastness of human intellect and innovation. From skyscrapers to surrealistic paintings, the world has always seen humans extending the boundaries of their abilities.
On the other hand, it is said that we only peruse a limited amount of our cerebral abilities. It was the renowned psychologist, William James who said that, "Compared with what we ought to be, we are only half awake. Our fires are damped, our drafts are checked. We are making use of only a small part of our possible mental and physical resources."
So it is that not all of us might reach the level of success we aim for. However, history has shown us that there are examples of geniuses who have led way to innovations in science, technology, arts and humanities. There are gifted people among us who keep setting a new high in their respective fields. We are born to create. The early humans are known to have invented primitive tools and as they evolved, their innovations grew as well. Thus we have the Egyptian pyramids created in the Old and Middle Kingdom periods. Then we have Gothic arts and architecture from the twelfth century.
It might seem that the world is worsening as seen through the negligence of climate change, illiteracy and poverty. However, the world is progressing too, slowly and steadily. Sceptics may decry over the pettiness of human nature but if we look on the bright side, there are positive developments as well. Today as the world is struggling through the pandemic, there are scientists and researchers who have succeeded in finding the vaccines that work effectively against the virus. Likewise, people are constantly inventing and creating in the arts, music, literature and science, etc. even in the throes of the pandemic.
How do you feel when you hear a Mozart symphony? What about viewing a Van Gogh painting? When you reach over for your smart phone to take a picture of a scenic view, don't you wonder at the marvel of human mind? William James is right to say that we only use a limited scope of our abilities but it is in human nature to constantly push barriers and reach out to the unknown territories.
There are no bounds to human innovation. Thomas Edison who is known as America's greatest inventor went on to create the light bulbs, phonograph and autographic printer among others in the nineteenth century. And he was self-educated. He held 1,093 U.S. patents, one of the highest numbers of patents in the world history. Edison lighted the world with luminosity through the innovation of his mind. And centuries later, humanity is grateful.
We may not all exceed in creating extraordinary inventions but might do ordinary things in extraordinary ways. We may make the world a better place through our cognition. And humanity will keep striving for innovation as it is in human nature to evolve.