antimeria

I have been called unstable, but not unsustainable.

My business model has traditionally been of the “Do what you want, and stop when you get bored” variety of unsustainability, but I love this idea too:

At one point, Mark [Allen, Machine Project founder] commented that they have a “deliberately unsustainable” business model. In other words: do great stuff while you can, and when you can’t do it anymore, stop. This is the model that governs most businesses and artistic endeavors. It’s the reason terms like “jump the shark” exist. Most companies, rock bands, and sports teams are only brilliant for so long. Then they start to slide. Then they die.
[...]
The unusual part of Mark’s statement isn’t the acknowledgment that Machine Project will only exist as long as it is relevant and good; it’s the desire to close up shop when the excellence ends. It’s incredibly rare for an organization or company to seek deliberate unsustainability. Most want to provide consistent jobs for their employees so their families can be secure. They want to provide quality products that are reliable over the long run. They want to promise consistent services that consumers can bank on. That’s why TV shows jump the shark. When they can, they will claw their way through as many seasons as possible.

The problem arises when the desire to sustain overcomes the desire to be awesome and more resources go to surviving than succeeding.
[...]
It’s human nature to want to keep your job and keep doing what you’re doing. The challenge is not to make it your primary goal.

HT: Tim O’Reilly

More potentially-related posts:

1. Thievery Tuesday.
2. “I shot it six times in the head with a spear and I wasn’t having much luck.”
3. The enemy is public–they really give a damn.