S3 EP1: The Lifecycle of an Idea

Innovation is more predictable than you may think.

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Welcome to the first episode of ZigZag's third season. Episodes will be published every other Thursday morning, Jan-March 2019. Get each one delivered auto-magically and for free on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Radio Public, or just listen here:

You may feel like a special snowflake, but even our best ideas usually take a predictable path: they'll pass through the 5 Phases of the Hype Cycle. Tech analyst Jackie Fenn created this iconic graph 25 years ago, and it's been used to track innovations (yes, like blockchain) ever since. But the Hype Cycle isn't just for tech: understanding it can help you decide when to press ahead with a job, relationship, or New Year's resolution... or cut your losses and move on.

All this season, we're exploring the lifecycle of ideas, including a visit to a town by the Canadian border where one of the biggest Bitcoin mining operations in the world is ramping up, and some claim crypto can save a community in financial ruin.

Tell us what's going on in your life and where YOU are on the Hype Cycle right now: record a voice memo and send it to ZigZag@StableG.com.

Also, our email newsletter is a must read. Sign up for a bi-weekly letter from Manoush with links to her favorite articles and podcasts, a look behind-the-scenes at Stable Genius Productions, and upcoming events.

CREDITS:

Thalia Beaty, Producer

David Herman, Composer

Matt Boynton and Dan Dzula, Audio Engineers

ILLUSTRATION: 

Sara Wong

ZigZag comes from Stable Genius Productions, in partnership with Civil. We are proud members of Radiotopia, from PRX.

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S3 EP2: What Triggers Innovation

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Next

S2 EP12: Lessons Learned from a Risky Crypto Experiment