Powerful tools for thought usually arise as a byproduct of real work in a field rather than "I have an idea for a tool!" (Hindu-Arabic numerals, microscopes, RenderMan, Mathematica). => People interested in tools must get into a context s.t. real work incites tool-work. Not easy!
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That was the path of all the examples I mentioned, as well as many other very powerful tools for thought!
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Yeah, I mean, how intentional was it? Was it more like "huh, this seismic device is a really good doorstop too" or more like "this seismic device works really well, let's find new things we can do with it"?