there’s a funny paradox to me in creative work which i call “the horse shaped box.” basically: lead wants to give IC a space to work within, with constraints. but the constraints are extremely specific; “you can put anything you brainstorm into this box!” but the box is shaped exactly like a horse
Comments
- must have hooves
- must say “neigh”
- can’t have horns
- needs to be this tall
- rideable
the sooner you realize the box is horse shaped, the sooner you can deliver a horse
still, questioning the horse box is advanced technique
no need to 20 questions this shit, or build in features that don't matter ("this is our user configurable Horse Noise")
then my working space will be "what type of horse? theres solid ones, spotted ones, big ones, small ones? wow what fun this still ended up being!"
So much less of a trap for your subordinates.
and while they know how to speak the old languages, learned to vocalize only "neigh" when humanoids are nearby.
yeah, functionally a horse.
I've been trapped inside your horse shaped box for four whole weeks
wait!
I've got a new constraint!
forever tech debt due to feckless advice...
"You just dictated the entire color scheme for me though."
"Yeah but have fun :)"
Must be tea
Must be almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea