The more original a discovery, the more obvious it seems afterwards

The more original a discovery, the more obvious it seems afterwards

The statement "The more original a discovery, the more obvious it seems afterwards" speaks to the idea that groundbreaking discoveries often appear to be common sense or easily understandable in hindsight. This phenomenon can be observed in various fields, from science and technology to art and literature.

One reason why original discoveries may seem obvious after the fact is that they often challenge existing paradigms or ways of thinking. When a new idea or concept is introduced, it can be difficult for people to grasp its significance or implications because it goes against what they already know. However, once the discovery is made and its implications are understood, it can seem like a natural progression or logical conclusion.

Another reason why original discoveries may seem obvious in retrospect is that they often build upon existing knowledge or ideas. Innovations rarely occur in a vacuum; they are usually the result of years of research, experimentation, and collaboration. As a result, when a new discovery is made, it can appear to be a logical extension of what came before, making it seem obvious in hindsight.

Furthermore, the process of discovery itself can be messy and unpredictable. It often involves trial and error, dead ends, and unexpected breakthroughs. As a result, the path to a groundbreaking discovery may not be immediately clear, and it may only become obvious after the fact when looking back at the journey that led to it.