Comments on: Pull My Finger http://www.niblettes.com/blog/2006/02/15/pull-my-finger/ Tasty Little Nuggets of Design and Innovation Goodness Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:54:36 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: niblettes http://www.niblettes.com/blog/2006/02/15/pull-my-finger/#comment-84 niblettes Wed, 15 Feb 2006 19:07:35 +0000 http://niblettes.com/blog/2006/02/15/pull-my-finger/#comment-84 I've always believed that open criticism makes good ideas stronger, and culls the bad one before they cause too much trouble. I find it odd how my undergrad writing composition classes were the environments most conducive to genuine constructive criticism where and no one took any of it personally. Yet in the "real" world where ideas can ostensibly have "real" impacts, people are so much more sensitive about criticism (I'm not suggesting you were being sensitive Hans, this has just reminded me of other situations). I’ve always believed that open criticism makes good ideas stronger, and culls the bad one before they cause too much trouble.

I find it odd how my undergrad writing composition classes were the environments most conducive to genuine constructive criticism where and no one took any of it personally. Yet in the “real” world where ideas can ostensibly have “real” impacts, people are so much more sensitive about criticism (I’m not suggesting you were being sensitive Hans, this has just reminded me of other situations).

]]> By: niti bhan http://www.niblettes.com/blog/2006/02/15/pull-my-finger/#comment-83 niti bhan Wed, 15 Feb 2006 04:00:49 +0000 http://niblettes.com/blog/2006/02/15/pull-my-finger/#comment-83 There is merit in what you both say, however, I believe that occassionally what needs to be pointed out, should be. There isn't enough 'critique' of the concepts and theories being churned out by established thought leaders, or the media. There is merit in what you both say, however, I believe that occassionally what needs to be pointed out, should be. There isn’t enough ‘critique’ of the concepts and theories being churned out by established thought leaders, or the media.

]]> By: niblettes http://www.niblettes.com/blog/2006/02/15/pull-my-finger/#comment-82 niblettes Wed, 15 Feb 2006 00:55:51 +0000 http://niblettes.com/blog/2006/02/15/pull-my-finger/#comment-82 Yes I admit that I am being rather hard on the paper. And yes it is not an academic work. However, allow to explain why I'm being so hard. 1) Brown and Hagel are no amateurs. These guys have done a lot a very deep thinking and research on a lot of out-there and not-so-out-there topics. The value they offer is knowledge and insight, and the way they offer it is through language. So when when I read something from researchers of their calibre I have a certain expectation that they respect their own bodies of work, and their readers enough to maintain a level of quality in the knowledge they are communicating, the arguments they structure that knowledge in and the language they use to communicate it. Given their years of experience at doing just this it shouldn't be too difficult for them. 2) Although not an academic paper, this was no blog post either. So again there is a certain expectation that perhaps things will be well thought out and presented. 3) I already believe very strongly in the value pull models offer. However the "evidence" they offer (at least to page 14) was so weak, so shallow that it actually undermines the case for pull (some of it made me wonder if they even understand what pull as opposed to push means). Indeed none of the examples they offered (again, up to page 14) exhibit any pull behaviours beyond what most existing businesses already exhibit. It’s like saying that wheels are great for helping cars get around, and pretending that's an insight. 4) There is already too much fluff out there trying to pass for insight. I think I've developed a powerful allergic reaction to such fluff in disguise. Perhaps I sometimes even over-react (imagine that). Maybe I should give it a second look. Yes I admit that I am being rather hard on the paper. And yes it is not an academic work. However, allow to explain why I’m being so hard.

1) Brown and Hagel are no amateurs. These guys have done a lot a very deep thinking and research on a lot of out-there and not-so-out-there topics. The value they offer is knowledge and insight, and the way they offer it is through language. So when when I read something from researchers of their calibre I have a certain expectation that they respect their own bodies of work, and their readers enough to maintain a level of quality in the knowledge they are communicating, the arguments they structure that knowledge in and the language they use to communicate it. Given their years of experience at doing just this it shouldn’t be too difficult for them.

2) Although not an academic paper, this was no blog post either. So again there is a certain expectation that perhaps things will be well thought out and presented.

3) I already believe very strongly in the value pull models offer. However the “evidence” they offer (at least to page 14) was so weak, so shallow that it actually undermines the case for pull (some of it made me wonder if they even understand what pull as opposed to push means). Indeed none of the examples they offered (again, up to page 14) exhibit any pull behaviours beyond what most existing businesses already exhibit. It’s like saying that wheels are great for helping cars get around, and pretending that’s an insight.

4) There is already too much fluff out there trying to pass for insight. I think I’ve developed a powerful allergic reaction to such fluff in disguise. Perhaps I sometimes even over-react (imagine that).

Maybe I should give it a second look.

]]> By: Hans Henrik http://www.niblettes.com/blog/2006/02/15/pull-my-finger/#comment-81 Hans Henrik Tue, 14 Feb 2006 19:11:04 +0000 http://niblettes.com/blog/2006/02/15/pull-my-finger/#comment-81 Hi Niblette I got your point, but I don't agree with you. I think your judgement is too hard in the first place. Take the article for what it is - it's not an academic work, it isn't an "article" after all. i think you should consider it more like a pre-face to a book - telling and explaining what to come. If you try to read it with a different mindset I think you'll agree that som of the themes mentiond - used before or not - are highly relevant for doing business today. And I think they got a point when saying we are moving from Push to Pull. Shift in paradigme or not.... By the way - you example from the film industry is good and "spot on". I agree. If you look at Pixar it's remarkable how high hitrate they got.....so you are right.... All the best Hans Henrik Hi Niblette

I got your point, but I don’t agree with you. I think your judgement is too hard in the first place. Take the article for what it is - it’s not an academic work, it isn’t an “article” after all. i think you should consider it more like a pre-face to a book - telling and explaining what to come.

If you try to read it with a different mindset I think you’ll agree that som of the themes mentiond - used before or not - are highly relevant for doing business today. And I think they got a point when saying we are moving from Push to Pull. Shift in paradigme or not….

By the way - you example from the film industry is good and “spot on”. I agree. If you look at Pixar it’s remarkable how high hitrate they got…..so you are right….

All the best
Hans Henrik

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