In response to Hu Jintao speaking on the importance of innovation this week, this article in China Daily highlights inquisitiveness as the mother of innovation but that it goes against Chinese tradition to ask questions. It is suggested that this causes a dilemma as an inquisitive mind is an innovative mind. But the journalist sets a positive tone highlighting nationwide discussions.

It made me recall a recent, different but similar, discussion on the same topic (i.e the importance of innovation and what lies in its way) in another BRICS country, namely Brazil. A few months ago when I was speaking at the International innovation congress hosted by the federation of Industries of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (FIERGS), there was a discussion after the panel. From the audience it was suggested that we could not expect innovation in Brazil as long as there is poverty and people starve. An innovate mind has it’s basic needs met people said. I would argue that innovation can exist in every setting and many of the most exciting innovations today are being developed in places people do not see as innovative by groups that are not often seen as drivers of innovation (when using “old” measures for innovation such as patents, rather than actual solutions to real needs). The 21st century will be different from the 20th century.  I have to say that I thought it was interesting to hear these kind of “excuses” in Rio Grande do Sul – one of the most prosperous Brazilian states with a thriving industry…