In a historical context, clusters of knowledge formed around a craft or discipline have played a major role in the development of societies. Murano [a group of islands north of Venice, ed.) became a center for glassmaking in the 13th century when the Venetian Republic ordered glassmakers to settle on the islands, fearing that fires could destroy the inner city’s wooden buildings. It is, however, not the hoarding of knowledge that produces important innovations. It is when ideas are shared, discussed and built upon in a diverse network of individuals and organisations that breakthrough innovations happen. The invention of greenhouses, spectacles, microscopes, telescopes and the camera all depended on utilising glass in new ways. But it was not the glassmakers of Murano that came up with these innovations. They did not have the imagination, ingenuity or skills to apply their specialised knowledge to other domains. The lesson to take away, is that information spillovers depend on people who can cross boundaries, bring a broader perspective into consideration and apply existing knowledge in a different context.

The Neo-Generalist, by Kenneth Mikkelsen and Richard Martin, 2019 (English Edition)