Hanlon's Razor

This time, we delve into the concept of eponyms—words or names derived from people's names or places that capture little slices of history. The discussion starts with general definitions and shares interesting examples like the Jacuzzi, named after the Jacuzzi brothers, and the sandwich named after the fourth Earl of Sandwich. The hosts explore how eponyms often tell compelling stories, sometimes reveal historical facts, and occasionally involve controversies or unintended legacies, such as the 'Pellereau,' a term humorously defined by Lord Sugar. They also touch on the potential pitfalls of eponyms associated with infamous figures, brands becoming generic terms, like 'Hoover' and 'Google,' and the implications of eponyms on intellectual property law. The episode is rich with anecdotes that illustrate the origin and importance of these linguistic phenomena.Apology: In the podcast Rob insists that the word for shadow in French is Silhouette and Jono confirms this. Strictly speaking, the word for shadow is "ombre", but silhouette is sometimes used.Below are links to more information and depth on topics and content we reference in the podcast:The 99% Invisible podcast with Roman MarsThe Don't Say Velcro SongMany more of Jono's sketches under the category of wordsPrevious Eponym podcast episodes include: The Peter Principle; Hanlon's Razor; Goldilocks Tasks; The Shirky Principle; Dunbar's Number; and Goodhart's Law.00:00 Introduction to Eponyms00:57 Meet the Hosts01:56 Exploring Famous Eponyms03:11 The Fun of Sketchplanations11:42 Scientific Eponyms17:31 Controversial and Historical Eponyms23:47 The Origin of Hoover24:58 Matthew McConaughey's Career Shift25:59 The Concept of Genericide28:12 Famous Eponyms: Zipper, Escalator, and More32:11 Boycott and Maverick: Stories Behind the Words35:42 Eponyms in Everyday Language38:19 The Art of Naming and Eponyms in History40:36 Final Thoughts and TakeawaysAll music on this podcast series is provided by Franc Cinelli. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Before you go any further with this episode, check out both:Jono's mindmap travel journal from 7 months traveling in Central America, South East Asia, and South Africa, andEva-Lotta Lamm's sketchnotes from her 14-month world trip.With the help of visual thinking expert Eva-Lotta Lamm, in this episode we discuss how using techniques like sketch-noting and mind-mapping can enrich travel experiences, offer a deeper connection to the moment, and create engaging and memorable journals. Eva-Lotta shares her professional journey from UX designer to visual thinking consultant and provides practical tips for anyone looking to enhance their note-taking and journaling skills, no matter their drawing ability. The discussion covers the concept of improvisation in drawing, the benefits of using a pen instead of pencils to avoid early editing, the freedom of mind mapping compared to linear note-taking, and the guest's personal experiences with sketch noting during her 14-month global odyssey. Further information and links"The Godfather" of Sketch-noting - Mike RohdeMind-mapping guru - Tony BuzanImprovisation coach - Dan KleinExternal links to Eva-Lotta's work and classesYogaNotesEvaLotta.shop Instagram accountPragmatic Sketching MasterclassLittle People BasicsLittle People PairsPodcast Summary00:00 Introduction01:27 Meet Eva-Lotta Lamm02:23 Eva-Lotta's Career Journey05:09 Mind Map Travel Journals06:08 The Art of Visual Note-Taking07:37 The Evolution of Sketch Notes15:16 The Power of Analogies in Sketching21:01 Creating Mind Map Travel Journals27:48 Capturing Emotions in Sketches28:40 Travel Sketching Experiences30:20 The Concept of Aphantasia31:55 Improvisation in Sketching34:58 Analog vs Digital Sketching38:51 The Joy of Travel Journals40:46 Encouraging Visual Thinking44:41 Overcoming the Fear of Drawing52:33 Eva-Lotta's Teaching and Projects54:01 Conclusion and Farewell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What was the best speech you've ever heard?And how long was it?Are shorter speeches more effective than longer ones? In this episode, Rob Bell, Jono Hey, and Tom Pellereau dive into the concept that short speeches often take more time and effort to prepare. They discuss historical examples like the Gettysburg Address and Winston Churchill's wartime speeches, the importance of simplicity in communication, and even share personal anecdotes about delivering best man speeches and after dinner talks. The episode also touches on the impact of preparation, audience engagement, and the potential role of AI in summarising and organising content. Tune in to explore how less can indeed be more when it comes to effective communication.00:00 Introduction: The Power of Short Speeches00:57 The Concept of Short Speeches01:50 Jono's Inspiration and the Sketch02:40 The Importance of Preparation04:23 Examples of Short Speeches06:10 Personal Experiences with Speeches12:44 The Apprentice Application Process14:52 The Art of Concise Communication19:45 Podcasting vs Traditional Media21:29 Editing Challenges in Media Production22:42 Respecting Listeners' Time23:57 The Emotional Detachment in Editing24:24 Long-Form Media and Political Impact25:09 The Pressure of Impromptu Speeches26:53 Famous Short Speeches32:14 The Art of Simplifying Communication40:55 The Role of AI in Summarising Content42:24 Key Takeaways and ConclusionAll music on this podcast series is provided by the very talented Franc Cinelli. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This time, we explore the origins of the word 'geek,' its evolution from a negative to a positive term, and discuss why some subjects are more cool than others. We share our own personal geek topics and celebrate how social media and online communities have made it easier to find like-minded people. We argue that passion, knowledge and experience are all critical ingredients within the geek cocktail which may help differentiate between geekiness and professional expertise. Mainly though, this episode highlights the joy of discovering others' geekiness and we encourage our listeners to reflect on their own interests and support others in their passions.Join the conversation and share your own examples of geekiness by emailing [email protected] or by leaving us a voice note here. Don't forget to check out the episode artwork and visit sketchplanations.com for more insightful sketches!We reference the following in the podcast+ Book by Alexandra Robbins: The Geeks Shall Inherit The Earth+ Adam Smith - known as the Father of modern economics.+ Jono's sketch on "T-shape" people.+ Sketchplanations The Podcast episodes with James Wong; Part 1 & Part 2+ Subtly referenced by Jono, a song about artisan crafters whose work might be expensive, but it's expensive for a reason. Song: "It costs that much cos it takes me F-ing hours"Timeline of Topics Discussed00:00 Introduction to Sketchplanations Podcast01:14 Exploring the Sketch: Everyone's a Geek About Something04:21 Personal Geekiness and Social Perceptions06:43 The Evolution of the Term 'Geek'12:18 Finding Your Tribe in the Digital Age23:00 Diving into Copywriting23:39 Tom's Passion for Efficiency25:53 The Rise of Spreadsheet Geeks26:36 Professional Specialisation and Geekiness27:54 The Value of Multidisciplinary Teams31:36 Personal vs. Professional Geekiness33:28 The Intersection of Passion and Geekiness35:24 Defining Geekiness42:31 Famous Geeks and Their Impact44:03 Our own takeaways about Geekdom. All music on this podcast series is provided by the extremely talented Franc Cinelli. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This time, we discuss the fascinating concept of 'Thoughtless Acts'—simple, everyday innovations people make to adapt to their environment without even thinking about it. From hanging tea bags on mug handles to hanging shirts on a washing machine door, we explore how unnoticed behaviours can inspire better design and usability. We also delve into the origins of the term inspired by the work and book from human factors researcher, Jane Fulton Suri and her work at IDEO. Once again, the team come prepared with buckets full of examples of Thoughtless Acts they've caught themselves doing or have observed in others - unsurprisingly, Tom brings ups dishwashers again! Join the conversation and share your own examples of thoughtless acts by emailing [email protected] or by leaving us a voice note here. Don't forget to check out the episode artwork and visit sketchplanations.com for more insightful sketches!Timeline of Topics Discussed00:00 Introduction to Thoughtless Acts01:53 Defining Thoughtless Acts03:24 Origins of the Concept05:58 Examples of Thoughtless Acts08:20 Degrees of Thoughtlessness11:12 Importance in Design12:40 Personal Hacks and Innovations15:27 Observations in Design21:26 Coffee Mugs and Shopping Trolleys22:19 Observing Daily Interactions24:04 Designing for Better Usability26:14 Everyday Improvisations32:02 Signalling and Subtle Messages33:58 Accidents and Tool Design37:17 Listener Engagement and ConclusionAll music on this podcast series is provided by the extremely talented Franc Cinelli. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is jam-packed with personal anecdotes and examples from real life of where we've fallen foul of Hanlon's Razor - wrongly attributing malice to a situation. The most recognisable is possibly in the car when someone cuts you up or pulls out in front of you. We cover a whole heap of other examples including misunderstandings during endurance swimming events, misplaced anger or frustration at home, and accidental mishaps in public places. We explore how acknowledging Hanlon's Razor can help reduce unnecessary stress and improve patience and understanding in everyday life. The episode wraps up with reflections on human nature, individual conditioning, and the importance of giving others the benefit of the doubt. Jono also shares related sketches and humorous laws from Murphy's Law book - where if something can go wrong, it will. You can send examples of your own stories and experiences of Hanlon's Razor in action to [email protected] OR leave us a voice note on the podcast website.We reference the following in the podcast: + Jono's Sketchplanation on Fundamental Attribution Error+ Murphy's Law Book 1 & Murphy's Law Book 2+ Jono's sketch on Narrative Bias+ William of Ockham and Occam's Razor.+ The previous podcast episode on The Peter Principle.Timeline of topics discussed:00:00 Introduction and Personal Anecdotes00:57 Hanlon's Razor Explained05:27 Examples of Hanlon's Razor in Action14:33 Philosophical Discussion on Human Nature22:09 Clearing Up the Confusion About Hanlon's Razor22:32 The Origin and Meaning of Occam's Razor24:27 Misunderstandings and Miscommunications26:10 More Real-Life Examples of Hanlon's Razor33:54 The Importance of Giving Others the Benefit of the Doubt38:21 Fun and Thought-Provoking Rules from Murphy's Law Book40:34 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsAll music on this podcast is provided by the very talented Franc Cinelli Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Inspired by Sports Psychologist, Justin Ross on the Løw Tide Bøyz Podcast, this episode explores the metaphors of 'anchors' and 'tugboats' to illustrate the impact of negative and positive self-talk on our mental state and performance. We discuss how negative thoughts can anchor us down, whereas positive thinking acts as a tugboat, pulling us forward. We delve into examples from sports psychology, personal professional experiences, parenting and everyday scenarios to highlight the importance of being aware of our inner dialogue. The conversation also touches on the role of friends, the significance of small changes like having a snack, and practical tips for reframing negative thoughts. Join us as we navigate these concepts, and provide practical advice for turning your mental anchors into tugboats that propel you forward.We reference the following in the podcast: + Jono's Sketchplanations on The Stages of Competence Framework+ David Goggins' Book: Can’t Hurt me. + Jono's sketch on Complaining at the Weather+ Jono's Paradox of Choice sketch+ Tommy's positive manifestations of "There will be a parking space" - as popularised by Paul McKennaTimeline of topics discussed:00:00 Understanding the Power of Self-Talk00:57 Introducing Anchors and Tugboats02:11 The Origin of Anchors and Tugboats03:49 Applying the Metaphor to Sports and Life05:09 Awareness and Self-Talk06:00 The Role of Friends and Environment10:45 Personal Examples and Practical Tips18:33 Swimming and Self-Talk25:08 Understanding the Brain's Tactical Advantage25:35 The Accountability Mirror Technique26:12 The Importance of Eating for Energy28:03 Personal Experiences with Energy and Focus33:01 The Power of Positive Self-Talk36:04 Anchors and Tugboats: A Metaphor for Self-Talk40:49 The Role of Mental Training in Sports42:38 Toxic Language and Self-Talk46:27 Concluding Thoughts and SummaryAll music on this podcast is provided by the very talented Franc Cinelli Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rob, Tom and Jono discuss a compelling quote from American internet entrepreneur Reid Hoffman (who is also the founding host the Masters of Scale podcast), which compares starting a company to jumping off a cliff and assembling a plane on the way down. Tom and Jono share their personal experiences and insights into the chaos and exhilaration of entrepreneurship. We also explore the deeper meanings behind such journeys, offering advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and relating to various iconic metaphors. Highlights include the challenges and rewards of starting a business, the importance of having a supportive team, and advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. They also bring up Wallace and Gromit's hilarious train track scene and share insights into psychological and logistical hurdles faced while building a business.Other links to references made in the podcast include:+ A video of a lone dancer in a field at a festival who starts a craze - a very uplifting watch demonstrating the different roles of leadership and first follower.+ The Sketchplanations The Podcast episode on Optimism Bias - referencing a typical character trait of entrepreneurs.+ The Sketchplanation on The Twin Engines of Altruism and Ambition+ Big Ideas, Little Pictures: The Sketchplanations book where you can see the Starting a Company sketch with even more detail and on a double page spread.+ American writer Ray Bradbury and his wonderful quote about missing life if you don't jump off cliffs and build your wings on the way down.02:16 The Chaos of Starting a Company04:48 The Role of Money and Support in Entrepreneurship06:50 The Importance of Team and Adaptability10:05 The Reality of Entrepreneurial Risks and Rewards18:36 The Power of Early Adopters and Team Dynamics21:16 Wallace and Gromit: A Metaphor for Entrepreneurship23:14 Navigating Business Challenges23:52 Growth and Expansion Strategies24:18 Facing New Market Requirements25:34 Building a Supportive Team26:09 The Reality of Running a Business29:01 The Role of Optimism in Business33:53 The Rewards of Entrepreneurship37:16 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs41:13 Closing Thoughts and ReflectionsAll music in this series is provided by Franc Cinelli. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever had your order or instructions (for a cake or otherwise) go hilariously awry? Oh dear... How funny. Never mind eh?!? I'm sure there's a lesson in these somewhere. In this episode, we discuss the phenomenon of 'Cake Wrecks,' where instructions for creating something go hilariously wrong, and how this applies broadly to miscommunication in product development. The conversation is joined by John Cutler, a prolific writer and ("on second") thought leader in digital product development. We delve into the importance of clear communication, prototypes, and iterative understanding in avoiding these 'wrecks' in both hardware and software realms. As always, we also touch on real-world examples, the role of user experience, and the necessity of involving all team members in the design process to ensure a shared and accurate understanding of project goals.Stay tuned for practical advice on improving clarity and collaboration in your projects.Topics Covered. 00:00 Introduction to Cakewrecks00:57 Everyday Essentials and the Magic of Three01:44 The Versatile Bic Four Colours Pen02:17 Reminiscing About Handwriting and Notes05:31 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest05:39 Exploring Cake Wrecks and Misinterpretation06:29 John Cutler's Journey and Insights13:47 Challenges in Product Development20:07 The Illusion of Fixing Decisions20:28 Challenges in Hardware Manufacturing21:13 The Importance of Clear Communication22:44 Prototyping and Specification23:46 Avoiding Misunderstandings in Projects25:20 Participatory Design and User Experience28:18 Embracing Diverse Perspectives34:48 The Role of Sketching in Communication37:55 Concluding Thoughts and ResourcesGet in TouchHave you ever had your instructions result in something way more literal than intended? Or did you mis-interpret the orders of someone else? Let us know:email us: [email protected] leave us a voice noteReference LinksIn this episode we also reference:YouTube clip of John's first digital product development project; the computer bar tending game, Last CallJen Yates' amusing blog on Cake WrecksJeff Patton's book; User Story MappingSpinal Tap's Cake Wreck moment when they accidentally order an 18" tall model of Stonehenge in stead of an 18' model. Bent Flyvbjerg and Dan Gardner's book, How Big Things Get DoneAll music on this podcast is provided by the very talented Franc Cinelli. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Doesn't it feel good to be told something positive about yourself and vice versa if you notice something positive about others?So why wouldn't we compliment each other more often?In this episode, what with it being nearly Christmas, we use the metaphor that compliments are gifts - and not one you'd pick out of a lucky dip. These gifts have been made and wrapped especially for you. There's your name on the label and everything!Not only do we offer advice on noticing when you could give compliments more regularly, we discuss the etiquette in receiving compliments and make Tom feel very awkward with a little complimentary experiment!We apply our theories to the usual work, home and play scenarios and ponder why compliments from our parents mean so much.Get in TouchHow do you feel about compliments? Regular giver or a bit shy? How well do you receive a compliment?And if you want to rise to the challenge laid out in this episode and give 5 compliments you wouldn't have given otherwise in the next 2 weeks, then let us know how you get on.email us: [email protected] leave us a voice noteReference LinksIn this episode we also reference:Previous Podcast Episodes: 5 Ways to Wellbeing and Words & Language sketches compilation (@48m25 Compliment v Complement)Jono's sketch on how to Accept ComplimentsJono's sketch on Giving gifts others can giveJono's sketch on Extrinsic motivationAll music on this podcast is provided by the very talented Franc Cinelli. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.