Difference between revisions of "Absolute vs Relative Scale"

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''The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we hit it.''<div style="text-align:right;margin-right:10em;">- Michaelangelo</div>
''The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.''<div style="text-align:right;margin-right:10em;">- Michaelangelo</div>
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I think it's quite useful to differentiate between the ''absolute scale'' and the ''relative scale'' when judging something.  As an example, take Microsoft Word.  It's probably true that Microsoft Word is the best word processor you can buy right now.  That is a relative judgment...there are no other products you can buy that are better.   
I think it's quite useful to differentiate between the ''absolute scale'' and the ''relative scale'' when judging something.  As an example, take Microsoft Word.  It's probably true that Microsoft Word is the best word processor you can buy right now.  That is a ''relative'' judgment...there are no other word processors you can buy that are better.   


However, it is completely false that Microsoft Word is the best possible word processor you could create today.  In fact, on that absolute scale, it's pretty much a pile of junk.  You can't use it for more than two minutes without running into 20 things that could have been better, or shouldn't have happened, or missed opportunities to do something cool, if you approach the problem with fresh eyes and an open mind.
However, it is completely false to say that Microsoft Word is the best possible word processor you could create today.  In fact, on that ''absolute'' scale, it's not that great at all.  You can't use it for more than two minutes without running into 20 things that could have been better, things that shouldn't have happened, or missed opportunities to do something cool and useful, if you approach the problem with fresh eyes and an open mind.


We should be shooting for excellence on the ''absolute scale'' where possible.  Doing something that's merely better than the other stuff around is sort of a cynical approach to creating things, don't you think?
We should be shooting for excellence on the ''absolute scale'' where possible.  Doing something that's merely better than the other stuff around is sort of a cynical approach to creating things, don't you think?


Ignoring the ''absolute scale'' and only paying attention to the ''relative scale'' often leads to the [[Good Enough|''good enough problem''.]]
Ignoring the ''absolute scale'' and only paying attention to the ''relative scale'' often leads to the [[Good Enough|''good enough problem'']].


[[Category:Rants]]
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[[Category:Opinions]]

Latest revision as of 13:45, 17 February 2012

The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.

- Michaelangelo

I think it's quite useful to differentiate between the absolute scale and the relative scale when judging something. As an example, take Microsoft Word. It's probably true that Microsoft Word is the best word processor you can buy right now. That is a relative judgment...there are no other word processors you can buy that are better.

However, it is completely false to say that Microsoft Word is the best possible word processor you could create today. In fact, on that absolute scale, it's not that great at all. You can't use it for more than two minutes without running into 20 things that could have been better, things that shouldn't have happened, or missed opportunities to do something cool and useful, if you approach the problem with fresh eyes and an open mind.

We should be shooting for excellence on the absolute scale where possible. Doing something that's merely better than the other stuff around is sort of a cynical approach to creating things, don't you think?

Ignoring the absolute scale and only paying attention to the relative scale often leads to the good enough problem.

This page was last edited on 17 February 2012, at 13:45.