I pitched a roller coaster to Disneyland at age 10 in 1978 (wordglyph.xyz)

Article summary

The author recounts how, at age 10, they designed a roller coaster with four loops and sent the idea to Disneyland, receiving a response from an Imagineer that, although not leading to the coaster's creation, encouraged and validated their inventive spirit. This experience is credited with fostering a lifelong passion for inventing and creativity. The author went on to pursue various inventive projects, including a word game called WordGlyph. The story highlights the impact of early encouragement on one's creative trajectory.

Main themes

• Creative Encouragement
• Inventive Spirit
• Legal Precautions in Media
• Brand Loyalty
• Childhood Creativity
• Resilience in Rejection

What commenters say

• Receiving a response from a company, even if it's a rejection, can be a powerful motivator for young people to continue pursuing their creative interests.
• The practice of not reading or responding to unsolicited ideas is a common legal precaution in the entertainment and media industries to avoid potential copyright issues.
• Some argue that companies should engage more with their young fans, as it can lead to positive brand loyalty and long-term benefits, while others see it as a potential nuisance or unnecessary expense.
• The value of encouraging creativity and inventiveness in children is emphasized, with some commenting on how it can shape their future endeavors and resilience in the face of rejection.
• There is disagreement on whether companies like LEGO, Nike, and Apple serve as good models for engaging with young fans, given criticisms of their business practices.
• The impact of technology and societal changes on children's creativity and desire to invent is discussed, with some expressing concern that short-form video consumption may be replacing creative activities.