Curious · by Noah Johansson · 2026-09-21
What is worth spending money on for explainers without overthinking it?
I started this because my winter felt a little stuck, and learning seemed like a manageable place to experiment. The funny part is that the smallest change was the one I kept.
I started this because my rainy evening felt a little stuck, and explainers seemed like a manageable place to experiment. The funny part is that the smallest change was the one I kept.
100 sparks · 31 comments
Comments
Jiho Lee · 18 likes
My practical advice is to make the next step tiny enough that you can do it today. Momentum usually answers half the question. I noticed the same thing in Dublin.
Diego García · 22 likes
I was going to disagree, but your second sentence got me.
Urban Fern · 1 likes
I had the same reaction to pushback.
Jiho Lee · 3 likes
I like this more than the top-level advice.
Léa Bernard · 0 likes
The best answer in the thread, honestly.
Pieter Botha · 1 likes
@urban_avery I had the same reaction to other.
Rapid Orbit · 14 likes
My practical advice is to make the next step tiny enough that you can do it today. Momentum usually answers half the question. The low-effort version is probably the keeper.
Liam Naidoo · 6 likes
I would ask what outcome you want in two weeks, not in some ideal future. That makes the choice much clearer. That is where the boring checklist helps.
An Pham · 5 likes
I would ask what outcome you want in two weeks, not in some ideal future. That makes the choice much clearer. I keep a note about explainers for exactly this reason.
Noé Petit · 4 likes
Wonderful detail. It makes the whole thing feel real. The surprising constraint is probably the real story.
Grace Parker · 2 likes
Short answer: yes. Long answer: also yes.
Aarav Sharma · 4 likes
Amazing how much difference one small change can make. I noticed the same thing in Buenos Aires.
Tanvir Rahman · 3 likes
I would ask what outcome you want in two weeks, not in some ideal future. That makes the choice much clearer. I would write it down before changing anything else.
Theo Bennett · 1 likes
This is the kind of disagreement I like.
Giulia Rossi · 2 likes
The middle path is probably best: try it cheaply, keep notes and decide after you have real evidence. For me it came down to the prototype.
Mango Atlas · 2 likes
My practical advice is to make the next step tiny enough that you can do it today. Momentum usually answers half the question. A little friction removed goes a long way.
Silver Runner · 1 likes
The middle path is probably best: try it cheaply, keep notes and decide after you have real evidence. This pairs weirdly well with shakshuka.
Chloe Davis · 1 likes
I do not have a strong take, but the without detail is useful.
Hugo Martin · 1 likes
Love the tiny experiment energy. A little friction removed goes a long way.
Grace Parker · 0 likes
I would ask what outcome you want in two weeks, not in some ideal future. That makes the choice much clearer. My friend tried it in Nairobi and had the opposite result.