Synthesis

“The most valuable commodity I know of is information.” -Gordon Gekko in the movie Wall Street by Oliver Stone

“Knowledge is shit, okay? ‘Knowledge for Knowledge’s Sake’ is pure bullshit. All learning ever does is remind you of what you haven’t got. Teaches you about new stuff you’ll never be or have. Because unless you can apply that knowledge and do something with it…it’s useless. It’s crap. Worthless shit. An M.B.A. is one thing, but Jeopardy! is for assholes.” -Ben in the play The Mercy Seat by Neil LaBute

Synthesis (as defined by Merriam Webster):

1a : the composition or combination of parts or elements so as to form a whole
b : the production of a substance by the union of chemical elements, groups, or simpler compounds or by the degradation of a complex compound
c : the combining of often diverse conceptions into a coherent whole

Francis Bacon is credited with coining the phrase “knowledge is power” in 1597. And for centuries that was true. One’s ability to retain and recall information was a superpower.

But now with just about everyone having a smartphone in their pocket, information is ubiquitous and therefore largely a commodity.

What matters and is so desperately needed today is what we do with this information. How we apply it to lead and solve interesting problems. Synthesis is the new superpower.

You know what’s a great way for you to hone this superpower? Look again at the definition above. Yep, you guessed it…

Decide and be courageous enough to go make your art.