Filed under: A Bit Of Inspiration, Advertising, Attitude & Aptitude, Audio Visual, Authenticity, Chaos, China, Colenso, Comment, Confidence, Craft, Creativity, Culture, Emotion, HHCL, Imagination, Innovation, Insight, Marketing, Marketing Fail, Martin Weigel, Perspective, Planners, Planners Making A Complete Tit Of Themselves And Bless, Planning, Point Of View, Relevance, Resonance, Shanghai, The Kennedys, The Kennedys Shanghai, WeigelCampbell, Wieden+Kennedy
A while back, I did a presentation for the Brazilian APG about the dangers of perfect.
Or more precisely, the boredom of it.
It was my usual rambling mess of random pictures that goes off on tangents a protractor would find hard to calculate … but I still liked the underlying point that perfection stops possibilities whereas acts others may view as stupid … creates them.
[If you’re mad, you can see a static version of the presentation here]
I say I liked the underlying point until I saw this.
I really, really like this.
I love the idea that flaws help us connect.
I love that imperfection can make us feel normal. That it is something to aspire to.
Of course, the reality is perfection is just an illusion.
One persons definition of what is the ultimate expression of an idea.
A temporary moment, where they believe nothing better has been explored or revealed.
The problems start when that definition starts being challenged.
While some embrace it – seeing it as a way to push the boundaries of what they thought was possible – many fight it.
Using their definition to control, limit or devalue the work of the challengers.
Sometimes it’s due to ego.
Sometimes it’s due to money.
But everytime it aims to oppress rather than liberate.
It’s happening everywhere.
From technology processes to agency ‘proprietary’ tools.
And while there is a lot to be said for being proud of what you have done, when you use it to stop people creating their own version, it’s not.
I’ve seen too many people in too many companies follow the orders of their bosses simply because it’s easier to do that. Where they know expressing a different point of view will be seen as an attack rather than an attempt for everyone to be even better.
So while perfect might be nice and shiny and make you feel good, it also has the power to stop progress.
Or as the brilliant chart at the top of this post states, stop feeling you can relate.
Not because it’s so far ahead, but because of the speed society evolves, it’s too far behind.
13 Comments so far
Leave a comment
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
You’re the furthest thing from perfect and you fucked me up.
Comment by Billy Whizz March 30, 2021 @ 8:11 amYou’re welcome.
Comment by Rob March 30, 2021 @ 8:53 amprick.
Comment by andy@cynic March 30, 2021 @ 8:57 amhe fucked up everything for everyone billy. dont think youre fucking special.
Comment by andy@cynic March 30, 2021 @ 8:58 amThis is good until you called that quote a chart. You won’t get very far at McKinsey with talk like that.
Comment by Bazza March 30, 2021 @ 8:17 amAnother career ambition gone forever.
Comment by Rob March 30, 2021 @ 8:54 amHow on earth will I cope? Oh, easily.
amateur.
Comment by andy@cynic March 30, 2021 @ 8:59 amHe’s showing he’s not perfect. Well that’s going to be his excuse.
Comment by John March 30, 2021 @ 8:55 amand he will say it like we didnt already fucking know it.
Comment by andy@cynic March 30, 2021 @ 9:00 amThe problem is people forget perfection is personal and temporary.
Excellent post Robert.
Comment by Lee Hill March 30, 2021 @ 10:17 amI always knew perfection was pink.
Ms Piggy was ahead of her time.
Jemma xox
Comment by Jemma King March 30, 2021 @ 12:02 pm“while perfect might be nice and shiny and make you feel good, it also has the power to stop progress.” Yes! All of that.
Comment by ahtdoucette March 30, 2021 @ 3:19 pmThe worst thing about perfect is it’s boring.
Comment by Wayne Green March 30, 2021 @ 11:07 pm