The shard moment of transition When a new technology arrives, it appears unpolished, ill-formed and a bit wonky. As it gains traction, existing industries and processes begin to be threatened, often before their replacements in the new technology are fully ready. This is how Napster showed up for the music business, or email for faxes, or television for radio. Same […]
https://seths.blog/2025/11/the-pointy-part/

Rehearsing emotional state If you walk into the Parthenon or paddle at dawn on Joe Lake, it’s easy to feel a sense of wonder. And waiting in a long line for an important flight can trigger frustration. But much of the time, our state is automatic. What’s your default? Satisfied, bitter, anxious, sad, curious, grateful, energized, disappointed, exhausted, […]
https://seths.blog/2025/12/reh....earsing-emotional-st

Mediocre means average Two different ways to consider this: First, in the marketplace, where most people, most of the time, want the thing that most people want. The average one. Exceptional is the exception. Second, in the committee meeting, where the easiest way forward is to sand off interesting edges, eliminate unknowns and challenge as little as possible. […]
https://seths.blog/2025/12/mediocre-means-average/

The red zone, wasted Sports cars have a tachometer, a gauge showing how close the motor is to melting down. When the revs enter the red zone, performance is enhanced–for a while. Do it too much or for too long, and you’ll burn out. In our work, there are two sorts of red zones. Athletes know that the last […]
https://seths.blog/2025/12/the-red-zone-wasted/

Simple and obvious… or nuanced and complicated? Some choices seem obvious, while others demand care and insight. And some offerings are simple, while others have depth and multiple variables. As you’ve probably guessed, the choices that are simple and obvious tend to do best in the mass market. Where did you get your cup of coffee this morning? Did you visit a […]
https://seths.blog/2025/12/sim....ple-and-obvious-or-n