John Cage
John Cage (1912–1992) was an American composer and music theorist known for the silent composition 4'33 and for introducing chance operations into music. His work and writings promoted openness to new ideas over traditional conventions, reflected in the quoted statement.
Quotes by John Cage
Quotes: 3

When Tradition Terrifies More Than Innovation
Psychology deepens the picture. Prospect theory shows loss aversion makes people weigh potential losses more than gains (Kahneman and Tversky, 1979), while status quo bias nudges us to stick with default options even when better ones exist (Samuelson and Zeckhauser, 1988). Ambiguity aversion, demonstrated by Ellsberg (1961), further tilts choices toward known risks over unknown probabilities. The so‑called Semmelweis reflex names our tendency to reject disruptive evidence. These biases braid together to make novelty feel unduly hazardous and tradition deceptively safe. [...]
Created on: 8/31/2025

Art Is Not Freedom from Discipline, but Disciplined Freedom - John Cage
This concept applies beyond art into fields like writing, science, and leadership, where discipline fosters innovation. Rules and structure help channel creativity into meaningful and impactful results. [...]
Created on: 2/12/2025

Begin Anywhere - John Cage
This quote suggests that waiting for the perfect moment or having the 'right' starting point is unnecessary. It encourages taking action without being hindered by the desire for ideal conditions. [...]
Created on: 6/30/2024