No Solution In The Negative

Reading Pen Nerds and Finding Better Tools, where Anil Dash asked “Okay, pen nerds, is there a disposable ballpoint that's as satisfying to write with as a felt-tip, but not smeary?” which generated a pile of good responses, many I want to try, varsity pen nerd, I.

One that did not fit was, “Ballpoints are by definition unsatisfying.” Just stopped the flow. Stuck out like a sore whatever.

Criticism is not saying, “I don't like whatever.” Good criticism means establishing a context or explaining more fully, increasing total value of the subject. Any fool can blow a whistle to stop play.

I recently wrote about a first time, new type of event. It wasn't perfect. It wasn't established. It needs more time, but a lot of the central ideas are more than valid.

I got a lot of complaint from my friends saying I didn't talk about what should have been done better. I thought a long time before I wrote anything. I don't want tiny fires blown out.

Here are some earlier thoughts, From WordPictures – Phrases That Lit The Bulb:

There is no solution in the negative.

Dick Davies

Managers who focus on failure become experts on failure.

Dr. W. Edwards Deming

There is something that is much more scarce, something rarer than ability. It is the ability to recognize ability.

Robert Half

When I am teaching, I never say never and I don’t say don’t, if I can help it. I try to put everything in positive, constructive terms. ...when you are hitting a golf shot, a negative thought is pure poison.

Harvey Penick's Little Red Book

Some problems are best solved with an optimistic approach. Optimism shines a light on alternatives that are otherwise not visible. (p468)

Sheanna, Reflections on the New Order, Sandworms of Dune

Will you throw a little gasoline on this fire?