Thursday, 31 July 2025

Seth's Blog : In theory…

Anything that works in practice can work in theory. When a theory tells us something that is working is impossible, we've either measured wrong or the theory needs updating. Theories exist to explain, predict and understand. They are supposed to help us ...
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In theory…

Anything that works in practice can work in theory.

When a theory tells us something that is working is impossible, we’ve either measured wrong or the theory needs updating.

Theories exist to explain, predict and understand. They are supposed to help us see and improve the world around us, and they’re never finished, just ever better explanations seeking to catch up with reality.

If a theory is effective, use it.

When it’s not, don’t blame reality.

(HT to Lee Anne Fennell)

        

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Wednesday, 30 July 2025

Seth's Blog : Mostly unreasonable

It's tempting to go to an extreme. Unreasonable design standards, quality or hospitality are an effective way to gain share, delight customers and spread the word. To be unreasonable in service of your customers is a practice and a commitment. Along the ...
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Mostly unreasonable

It’s tempting to go to an extreme. Unreasonable design standards, quality or hospitality are an effective way to gain share, delight customers and spread the word. To be unreasonable in service of your customers is a practice and a commitment.

Along the way, though, reality sets in. The boss has multiple priorities. The uncompromising edges of unreasonable are truly expensive. They take time and effort and money… and they’re unreasonable.

And so, we pull back a bit. We go much of the way, but not quite to ridiculous.

The thing is, rational, compromised unreason has a name: it’s called normal.

If you want the benefits that come from being unreasonable on behalf of your customers, you’re going to have to pay the price as well.

Unreasonable works precisely because most people aren’t driven to go all the way there.

        

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