This quote speaks to the evolution of ideas and knowledge in our society. In the past, ideas were often closely guarded, with individuals or groups claiming sole ownership. This is akin to the patent system, where an inventor has exclusive rights to profit from their invention for a certain period of time. However, Coelho suggests that this era of “ownership” of ideas is over.

In today’s world, ideas are shared, exchanged, and built upon more freely. The advent of the internet and global communication networks has facilitated this exchange of ideas in an unprecedented way. Instead of one person owning an idea, it becomes a collective product, shaped and refined by many minds. This is seen in open-source software, where developers from around the world contribute to the code, or in academic research, where findings are published and built upon by others.

This quote can also be applied to personal development. It suggests that we should be open to the ideas of others, and willing to share our own. By doing so, we can learn and grow. Instead of seeing our ideas as something to be guarded, we should see them as something to be shared and improved upon. This can lead to greater innovation and progress, both for individuals and society as a whole.

In essence, the quote is a call for collaboration, openness, and the free exchange of ideas. It suggests that we are moving away from a model of competition, where each person tries to outdo the others, to a model of cooperation, where we all work together for the common good. This shift in mindset can lead to greater creativity, innovation, and progress.