RSSPftG: Understand what you are doing
Aug 05
This is part of the “Posts from the Graveyard” which are emails I have sent to my then team or project. I am reposting them here for future reference before I finally delete them from my inbox.
The email was originally sent on August 1, 2014.
Team,
I am not sure if you have come across these little idioms and quotations but these should be apt for what we do:
- A stitch in time saves nine.
- Knowing just enough to be dangerous.
- A fool with a tool is still a fool. [albeit a dangerous fool]
The gist is please understand what we are doing. Do not be complacent in submitting something because it will pass mechanical validation; it should pass the validation of another sentient being like yourself who actually know what is the purpose of the item being validated. Aim to craft and submit something because it is good enough that you wont be embarrassed to say “I created that stuff, marvel at how good it is. That is the <insert-your-name> mark of craftsmanship.” It was mentioned yesterday to complete forms by providing information that is actually useful. The challenge is applying that mentality to every little bit of thing that goes out of your plate. Will you be amenable to buying something that is sub-par with the amount that you are paying? Of course you want something that is of equal or greater value. It should be the same way when we are the ones handling the production side of the equation.
If something is not correct, don’t contribute in perpetuating it. Aim to make things better. You can polish a turd till it shines, but it is still a turd.
ciao!