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The necessity of innovation

Tom Alberg, co-founder and managing director of Madrona Venture Group in Seattle, writes that innovation is at the heart of wealth creation. Innovation is at the heart of job creation. Innovation is at the heart of building better lives for everyone. And innovation can be increased by conscious support.

Why every innovation can’t be the next iPhone

Is “innovation” an unquestionable good? Some innovation is clearly better than other innovation — and not all innovations are created equal. We should measure innovation by its ability to improve people’s lives, says UW Information School professor Jacob Wobbrock. And even though an innovation may only improve one person’s life or the lives of millions, a life-improving innovation is better than an idle innovation that gathers dust.