Does Innovative ideas stem from need ?

Today’s world relies more on innovation more than any staple requirements. Innovative food, innovative beverages, innovative captaincy by Dhoni, innovative product launch, innovative...

The common man would get to notice all these jargons thrown around. He would not understand a innovative idea that is gonna transform the wall street to wealthiest street. He simply wants a life made simple and less complex. Bringing forth the labyrinth, is innovation making life less complex? Today’s innovative products come with host of configurations and settings that a common man would fret to understand. Where does innovation stem from ? Does it stem from the need to have an easy place to live or rather does it stem from the need to carry out an activity?

Today's competitive companies push for innovation just for more market place, higher number of patents under its belt and for some arm twisting tactics. So whom does all this innovation aid? Does the common man is benefited so much as invention of fire did to the Stone Age men? 

A loud and clear no. Innovation surely has to be directed towards solving common problems. Innovative behemoths have failed to deliver one innovative idea to solve the garbage menace. One unfortunate day, on route to office, my bike had a flat wheel. As i sat waiting for my bike to get ready, I was stunned by the actions of a young kid. He was sure a poor lad- it was evident. His problem or the problem definition was clear. He had a worn out bicycle tyre and sure he cannot afford a new one. He shouted a ‘hi’ to the garage owner; as he wanted to use his resources to get his wheel serve him for some more days. He went around picking up 'waste' and in some time had a idea to have the tyre ready. I stayed put admiring this young mind at work. The kid had a need and he had no easy money to pay for it. He came up with an idea. The start reality was evident...