Why 90% of Everything is Crap- Unleash creativity with Sturgeon's Law

Hello Innovators,

Ever find yourself stuck in a creative rut, endlessly scrolling through your work, dissatisfied and disheartened? Well, before you toss your laptop out the window, let's talk about something that might just change your perspective and boost your creative spirits: Sturgeon’s Law.

Theodore Sturgeon, an acclaimed science fiction writer, famously said, "Ninety percent of everything is crap." He was defending science fiction against critics, but his words have since echoed through every industry. And here’s the twist — it’s actually a liberating concept.

⚠️ What Sturgeon’s Law Isn’t

First off, Sturgeon’s Law isn't an excuse to produce poor quality work or to lower our standards. Quite the opposite. It's a reminder that in the sea of creation, most things won’t be masterpieces, and that’s perfectly fine.

🦄 Why It Matters

Understanding this principle is crucial, especially when you're feeling overwhelmed by the apparent success of others. Remember, you’re likely seeing the 10% highlight reel of their work. The failures often stay in the dark, hidden away from the judgmental eyes of the public.

🔥 How It Can Spark Your Creativity

1. Freedom to Experiment: If you accept that a large chunk of what you create may not meet your expectations, you suddenly have the freedom to experiment. Try new things. Tinker with bizarre ideas. What’s there to lose if failure is just part of the process?

2. Volume Matters: To get to that shiny 10%, you need to work through the 90%. Write more, design more, code more. The more you create, the better your chances of producing something truly great.

3. Less Fear of Failure: When failure is not just possible but expected, it loses its sting. Instead of a stop sign, it becomes a stepping stone. Every misstep is a learning opportunity, drawing you ever closer to your 10%.

4. Focus on Learning, Not Just Outcome: Embrace each project as a chance to learn something new. When the focus shifts from achieving immediate success to learning through doing, creativity flows more freely.

💪🏻 Put it in Action

Think about the early sketches of a great artist or the first drafts of a bestselling author. They aren’t typically their best work. For instance, did you know J.K. Rowling was rejected by multiple publishers before "Harry Potter" found a home? The drafts didn’t change much, but their acceptance into the 10% did.

✍🏼 Signing off with a flourish

So, the next time you're beating yourself up over a project that didn't turn out as expected, remember Sturgeon’s Law. Not every shot will hit the mark, but each attempt teaches you something and improves your skills. Your task isn't to always create masterpieces but to keep creating, learning, and evolving. Who knows? Your next project could be part of your golden 10%.

Keep pushing the boundaries.

Yours in mischief and mastery,

Ali Khan
Chief Explorer, DedeDumdum

PS: Did you get a chance to watch my video on youtube last week?