Jack, you have absolutely maximised the power and benefits of constraints with VV (and now, with the added context of your work experience, I know why).
Any advice on setting the right format constraints for one’s creative output?
And is the validation internal (the constraint is enhancing the maker’s output), or external (the response is good, regardless of how we feel about the work)?
It’s probably a combination of both, yet I’m convicted that one supersedes the other in setting the long term tone.
I heard you talk briefly about good marketing “wearing in, not out”, compounding your work, eliminating the blank page - a format unlocks all of this.
If my logic tracks - something has to inform the constraint of choice.
Not at all mate - my personal view is that the sustainability comes somewhere in between, it's mad to think you will do something in a void forever, but it does need to feel inherently interesting for you to get anywhere close to critical mass/activation energy.
The idea that the constraint does make you better at whatever it is regardless of who sees it is another important thing to consider.
"Proof of work" I think is the core idea, publishing tons and tons of work while you figure this out is the luck maximizing path even if you don't get lucky.
Yeah, I think you talked with David Perell about the “selfish” nuance of the thing forcing you to get better through the work (you two dropped some serious insights there).
I probably need to get out of my head and just publish unpolished thoughts.
You talked about how packaging will forever limit (packet loss) or propel your work, so I thought I’d “waste my ideas” if I can’t name and position my output effectively.
Maybe I don’t have enough clarity myself.
I won’t take up more of your time.
Still can’t believe I’m talking to you directly, lol.
An important insight, I recognise two sides to the creative coin. One expands and receives novelty and the other clarifies and resolves. Constrains contain expansion and flip the coin.
Everyone wants to work for themselves until they realize that their boss is an asshole.
perfect
Jack, you have absolutely maximised the power and benefits of constraints with VV (and now, with the added context of your work experience, I know why).
Any advice on setting the right format constraints for one’s creative output?
Thanks for sharing your mind with us.
I think getting comfortable with the idea that they are "arbitrary" in order to force traction is a big part of it.
The work after you make a decision about what constraint to hold yourself to will either validate or invalidate the constraint, so pick one and go.
Got it.
And is the validation internal (the constraint is enhancing the maker’s output), or external (the response is good, regardless of how we feel about the work)?
It’s probably a combination of both, yet I’m convicted that one supersedes the other in setting the long term tone.
I heard you talk briefly about good marketing “wearing in, not out”, compounding your work, eliminating the blank page - a format unlocks all of this.
If my logic tracks - something has to inform the constraint of choice.
So - internal or external?
(Sorry if I’m overthinking this, ha).
Not at all mate - my personal view is that the sustainability comes somewhere in between, it's mad to think you will do something in a void forever, but it does need to feel inherently interesting for you to get anywhere close to critical mass/activation energy.
The idea that the constraint does make you better at whatever it is regardless of who sees it is another important thing to consider.
"Proof of work" I think is the core idea, publishing tons and tons of work while you figure this out is the luck maximizing path even if you don't get lucky.
Yeah, I think you talked with David Perell about the “selfish” nuance of the thing forcing you to get better through the work (you two dropped some serious insights there).
I probably need to get out of my head and just publish unpolished thoughts.
You talked about how packaging will forever limit (packet loss) or propel your work, so I thought I’d “waste my ideas” if I can’t name and position my output effectively.
Maybe I don’t have enough clarity myself.
I won’t take up more of your time.
Still can’t believe I’m talking to you directly, lol.
Appreciate you. 🤙🏼
Appreciate you reading. You have the right idea for sure.
Just think out loud, you can package stuff in hindsight...
An important insight, I recognise two sides to the creative coin. One expands and receives novelty and the other clarifies and resolves. Constrains contain expansion and flip the coin.