Effective innovation starts by solving your own problem.

You do a good job of pointing out that we first play the game, and then start hacking it. But how do you start? Where do you begin innovating? It's not like it comes out of thin air. Well, the simple and effective way is to solve your own problem.

Something you notice lacking with current tools. You play the game, and something doesn't fulfill your needs so much that you take matters into your own hands. You become an empowered user.

Steve Jobs needed a better phone + music player. The Twitter guys needed a better way to update each other. The YouTube team needed a better way to share and watch video clips.

The thing is, there are tons of people like you, with the same problem. Some might know it but don't think they can do anything about it, and others might not even be aware. But by solving your own problem first, you know for sure that at least one person will use this new innovation that is PERFECTLY tailored towards this new way of doing something.

With the right spreading of your message and marketing, your innovation can become widespread. But you start by solving your own problem. We should continue pushing ourselves to be empowered users. Solving our own problems and creating new solutions to our specific needs is where innovation starts.

Nice thought-provoking article,
Oleg