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# Quote: Why Do You Spread Ideas?
- URL: https://www.drewshannon.net/quote-why-do-you-spread-ideas/
- Published: 2010-10-28T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-12T15:35:16.000Z
- Author: Drew Shannon
- Tags: quote, seth godin, #import-tumblr-2026-08-27, notes

> I spread your idea because…  
>  
> Ideas spread when people choose to spread them. Here are some reasons why:  
>  
> 1\. I spread your idea because it makes me feel generous.  
> 2\. …because I feel smart alerting others to what I discovered.  
> 3\. …because I care about the outcome and want you (the creator of the idea) to succeed.  
> 4\. …because I have no choice. Every time I use your product, I spread the idea (Hotmail, iPad, a tattoo).  
> 5\. …because there’s a financial benefit directly to me (Amazon affiliates, mlm).  
> 6\. …because it’s funny and laughing alone is no fun.  
> 7\. …because I’m lonely and sharing an idea solves that problem, at least for a while.  
> 8\. …because I’m angry and I want to enlist others in my outrage (or in shutting you down).  
> 9\. …because both my friend and I will benefit if I share the idea (Groupon).  
> 10\. …because you asked me to, and it’s hard to say no to you.  
> 11\. …because I can use the idea to introduce people to one another, and making a match is both fun in the short run and community-building.  
> 12\. …because your service works better if all my friends use it (email, Facebook).  
> 13\. …because if everyone knew this idea, I’d be happier.  
> 14\. …because your idea says something that I have trouble saying directly (AA, a blog post, a book).  
> 15\. …because I care about someone and this idea will make them happier or healthier.  
> 16\. …because it’s fun to make another teen snicker about prurient stuff we’re not supposed to see.  
> 17\. …because the tribe needs to know about this if we’re going to avoid an external threat.  
> 18\. …because the tribe needs to know about this if we’re going to maintain internal order.  
> 19\. …because it’s my job.  
> 20\. I spread your idea because I’m in awe of your art and the only way I can repay you is to share that art with others.  
>  
> (via [Seth Godin](http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths%5Fblog/2010/10/ideas-spread-when.html?utm%5Fsource=feedburner&utm%5Fmedium=feed&utm%5Fcampaign=Feed%3A+typepad%2Fsethsmainblog+%28Seth%27s+Blog%29))