Accidentally reinventing the wheel
It’s not necessarily superfluous to come up with an idea that’s already been had in the past. If anything, one would be in the best position to improve upon it.
The greatest thinkers
Rather than being granted to its most effective wielders, power is often instead taken by those who most desire it. It is a tragedy that many great thinkers do not desire power with the same ferocity as a tyrannical despot, instead wasting their time developing brilliant ideas for the world that will never see the light of day.