This is TMAP — legacy

There's an interesting discussion going on at the [BIFL] about whether it's a matter of a product lasting forever, or a state of mind about a product.

I'm very pleased to have stumbled upon it, and there's a fair amount of overlap with some of the stuff I've been writing about.

At first glance I believed the site The Philosophers' Mail to be a satire of some kind. I've been reading it every once in a while, and I still can't be sure. But it doesn't matter if it is. It's filled with insight, and it describe the unregistered connections we have in our brains. I love reading it. It's convenient to finally find an article that is on-topic for TMAP.

This particular article extolls fragility. The way I write and the things I focus on can certainly give the impression that I hate fragile things. This is not at all true.

In fact, the main thing I value is success. I describe it often as "doing its job well". In the case of a fine glass, it could do no better than to be delicate. The scene where that glass performs is the play of self-control. Its job is to give you the tactile reminder that you have to focus on what you're doing, or you will make a fool of yourself.

http://www.philosophersmail.com/240214-virtues-sensitive.phpX

This is an extraordinary video showing many of the processes involved in the making of a steam train. What strikes me is how many of these processes are just blown-up versions of the smaller scale things I've seen in the shop!

 

On a recent trip to Argentina I was reading through Inc. Magazine. It's a pretty amazing source of information for the entrepreneur. I was genuinely surprised by the breadth and applicability. I had been sure it would be a moderately useful Business-Bro publication. In fact I read it cover to cover. That could mean I'm a business-bro, but I doubt it.

While my brain was on fire with ideas, I did some work on narrowing down what drives the TMAP brand. Asimov was an inspiration.

We seek to carry products that satisfy these rules. The first two are inflexible requirements except in the complexity of their evaluation. The rest are merely goals to seek.

 

Requirements:

1. Ethical
Although we understand the question of ethics is hazy, we stand against injustice. We sell products that do not unduly strain the world or the minds in it. This is the most important measure of work, and we need to hold each other accountable to this.

2. Effective

Products, like professionals, should do the jobs they set out to do. This is the second most important measure of work.

 

Goals:

3. Lasting

A product that lasts your lifetime often increases in value as time passes, and its cost per use falls. Longevity is a very attractive feature for a useful product, and should be a priority, so long as it does not interfere with a product's effectiveness.

4. Maintainable

A product that can be maintained over its lifetime serves its owner in many ways. Every time that product is repaired it is improved, like the callus that improves your hand. A scar on a good product reveals the story of that product, educates you, and establishes a relationship with it.

5. Repeatable

To sell a one-off, like an antique, undermines the idea of being a retailer.

6. Beautiful

The lowest priority, except when one of the problems being solved by the product is an aesthetic one.