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This page contains all of the posts and discussion on MemeStreams referencing the following web page: Six Principles for Making New Things. You can find discussions on MemeStreams as you surf the web, even if you aren't a MemeStreams member, using the Threads Bookmarklet.

Six Principles for Making New Things
by possibly noteworthy at 3:05 pm EST, Feb 16, 2008

Paul Graham:

The fiery reaction to the release of Arc had an unexpected consequence: it made me realize I had a design philosophy.

Here it is: I like to find (a) simple solutions (b) to overlooked problems (c) that actually need to be solved, and (d) deliver them as informally as possible, (e) starting with a very crude version 1, then (f) iterating rapidly.

When I first laid out these principles explicitly, I noticed something striking: this is practically a recipe for generating a contemptuous initial reaction. Though simple solutions are better, they don't seem as impressive as complex ones. Overlooked problems are by definition problems that most people think don't matter. Delivering solutions in an informal way means that instead of judging something by the way it's presented, people have to actually understand it, which is more work. And starting with a crude version 1 means your initial effort is always small and incomplete.


 
 
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