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The McDonald's Theory of Bad Ideas

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Re: The McDonald's Theory of Bad Ideas

#111

Post by arrrg »

alwaysinshade wrote: post #21
DigitalSea wrote: post #17

I get the theory behind recommending the worse idea so that people recommend something that isn't nearly as bad but what is so bad about McDonald's? Here in Australia there aren't many fast food establishments opened at 3am besides McDonald's and when you're driving to work or had a night out on the town which is worse: dodgy kebab, slightly warm 3 day old curry or McDonald's? I tend to use a similar tactic when we'r…

> what is so bad about McDonald's? Here in Australia [...] McDonald's Australia has excellent QA, process management and supply chain. I received some insight through someone...involved in all that good stuff (my background is QA/Environment so I get to meet some interesting people from various industries). Coworkers from the US all tend to say the same thing after going to an AU McDonald's - great burgers but ~3x th…

McDonald's in Germany most certainly also. Fresh ingredients, clean restaurants, ...

What this doesn't change, though, is that their food (fries excepted) tastes like total shit. And their burgers taste like nothing. But it does so consistently.

I'm sorry, but my bad opinion of McDonald's is not based on the quality of their ingredients or their quality. It's based on taste.

Re: The McDonald's Theory of Bad Ideas

#112

Post by gxs »

VLM wrote: post #88

There's never really anything new in IT. Looking at past revolutions of the eternal IT wheel the next article will be about Fred Brook's "second system effect" where a simple 1st choice like McDonalds for lunch inevitably leads to a ridiculously overengineered second solution in reaction, like a $300/plate steakhouse or perhaps a strange ethnic restaurant for lunch 90 miles away. This article is basically a rehash of…

Where would you recommend one look for a collection of this wisdom? Brooks is one example, what are others? Where would one look to find a cannon of this type of thing?

Re: The McDonald's Theory of Bad Ideas

#116

Post by jonb »

aflinik wrote: post #64
mseebach wrote: post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If everybody (but you, presumably) is happy with McDonald's then the onus is on you to change their minds. The trick only works when there is a consensus to strive higher. If you fail to do that, then, eventually, you will have to say "screw you guys, I'll go to the ramen-place alone then".

If you had a better idea you should have started with it in the first place. It should work equally well as a creativity trigger, and if nobody comes up with something different you still end up with a choice that's not so bad.

Indeed. Steve Jobs apparently said "The name of the company is Apple unless you can think of something better by tomorrow." And they couldn't.

Re: The McDonald's Theory of Bad Ideas

#118

Post by jonb »

incision wrote: post #109
ripter wrote: post #103

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Having been in this same situation at work and at home, I have to disagree with you. We go out to lunch several times a week, and unless someone is craving something, it almost always comes down to this. We use Subway instead of McDonalds, but the result is the same. There is no blame, we honestly can't think of where to eat until some idea is thrown out there. Then all of a sudden we remember that mexican place in t…

Seems a bit much you all should consistently be unable to "think of where to eat" when the question is asked "several times a week". Does this pervasive forgetfulness show up everywhere in your lives? If so, you guys should probably be mulling over doctors, not lunch. If not, you might want to reconsider what I've suggested and why you so consistently "forget" in socially arbitrated situations.

Speaking of investigating life choices, you're coming off like an asshole. You might want to reconsider the way you talk to people.

Here's the summary:

1. A post uses food as a metaphor* to make a point.

2. You basically say bullshit to the food, then rant about life.

3. Someone says "I dunno if it's BS, I've experienced this!"

4. And you say "then there's something wrong with you".

Fuck you, buddy.

*I'm the guy who wrote the essay, and for the record it was referring to a bunch of foodies in a design studio who were a few blocks from Pike Place market. It was Hick's Law in action. Frequently.

Re: The McDonald's Theory of Bad Ideas

#120

Post by jonb »

prawks wrote: post #80

I like the article for it's "get started rather than waiting for the perfect solution". However the McDonald's example makes the author sound like he's advocating proposing bad ideas. It's probably best if you don't present ideas that are intentionally awful (like his McDonald's recommendation). You'd just be sabotaging your reputation (you're now "that guy with all the bad ideas"). Get to work and don't be afraid to…

I wrote "here's a way to be less scared".

And you're saying "just don't be scared".

(shrug)

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