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# Lets Boil Some Frogs
- URL: https://makoism.com/lets-boil-some-frogs/
- Published: 2022-07-30T22:15:45.000Z
- Updated: 2022-07-30T22:15:45.000Z
- Description: "Just because you haven’t found your talent yet doesn’t mean you do not have one." -Kermit The Frog
- Author: Steve Makofsky
- Tags: makoism, #newsletter-makoism

> *"Just because you haven’t found your talent yet doesn’t mean you do not have one." -Kermit The Frog*

It's been a stimulating week (and sorry for the late newsletter as it's been a long week indeed), but I noted when someone used the term **boiling frogs** in a meeting. It's been a long time since someone I knew had said the metaphor, but I've been thinking about it and wanted to chat for a few minutes.

Wikipedia describes the term as:

> *The *boiling frog* is an apologue describing a frog being slowly boiled alive. The premise is that if a frog is put suddenly into boiling water, it will jump out, but if the frog is put in tepid water, which is then brought to a boil slowly, it will not perceive the danger and will be cooked to death. The story is often used as a metaphor for the inability or unwillingness of people to react to or be aware of sinister threats that arise gradually rather than suddenly.*

While the reference itself is generally exemplary, I was thinking about how one could apply this thinking to digital or cultural transformations in organizations. Or, perhaps, even used as a methodology to force change in oneself.

Here's the question - Is it better to:

- **Make a rapid change**? Jump into the deep end? Maybe the water is boiling!
- **Make a gradual change**? Slowly (turn up the temperature and) let lots of incremental changes transform something over time. Or, if you follow this path of total erosion - is there ultimately no escape?

Unfortunately, I guess that the answer is "it depends on the situation." But it's a compelling lever to play with when trying to move things in a different direction.

Oh - before you worry too much - [science has proven that the metaphor is wrong anyways](https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2006/09/the-boiled-frog-myth-stop-the-lying-now/7446/).

If you enjoy these posts, you can [buy me a coffee](https://ko-fi.com/makoism) ☕️, or if you'd rather keep up with my daily ramblings, follow me on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/smakofsky) or keep reading [my posts on this blog](https://makoism.com/).

## Forward Thinking

I came across a somewhat disturbing post on Twitter that mentioned actress [Winona Ryder](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000213/) who has passed what is known as the **Brimley/Cocoon Line**.

> Born October 29, 1971, actress Winona Ryder is 18,530 days old today, matching Wilford Brimley's age on the day 'Cocoon' was released. Congrats Winona! You've reached the Brimley/Cocoon Line. [pic.twitter.com/Ffv5mq7MQg](https://t.co/Ffv5mq7MQg)
> 
> — Brimley/Cocoon Line (@BrimleyLine) [July 23, 2022](https://twitter.com/BrimleyLine/status/1550822736234270720?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw)

The meme is pretty straightforward - when the film 'Cocoon' premiered in theaters, [Wilford Brimley](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000979/) was 18,530 days old (50 years, nine months, and six days). There is [an online calculator](https://brimleyline.date) to see if/when you've crossed the line.

I now know I crossed this line past January and have been **depressed**.

## Thought of the week

> Writing isn't what you do after you have an idea. It's how you develop an inkling into an insight.  
>  
> Turning thoughts into words sharpens reasoning. What's fuzzy in your head is clear on the page.  
>  
> "I'm not a writer" shouldn't stop you from writing. Writing is a tool for thinking. [pic.twitter.com/nqRT3gKX9l](https://t.co/nqRT3gKX9l)
> 
> — Adam Grant (@AdamMGrant) [July 24, 2022](https://twitter.com/AdamMGrant/status/1551208238581948416?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Why’s this 66 year old fridge better than the one I got now [pic.twitter.com/oFfu1CFfvI](https://t.co/oFfu1CFfvI)
> 
> — Lost in history (@lostinhist0ry) [July 22, 2022](https://twitter.com/lostinhist0ry/status/1550420291452809223?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw)

## This weeks "Deep Links"

Here are a few of the articles and videos that resonated with me over the last week:

- I'm a total sucker for life hacks, and "**25½ ways to get things done**" has some perfect ones. I liked '*things can't be forced, and sometimes, even though it's really hard, it's better to let it sit for a while*' as it seems to be the theme for life, in general, these days - [More](https://www.creativelivesinprogress.com/article/25-5-ways-to-get-things-done-by-kesselskramer)
- A comic that was inspired by the talk "[It Takes Time](https://www.ted.com/talks/nagin%5Fcox%5Fwhat%5Ftime%5Fis%5Fit%5Fon%5Fmars)," "**How living on Mars time taught me to slow down**" was an excellent commentary. [Nagin Cox](https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/people/257/nagin-cox/), Tactical Mission Lead on the Perseverance Rover, discusses her observations by working on 'Mars Time' - [More](https://www.npr.org/2022/07/22/1112484935/nasa-engineer-nagin-cox-mars-rover)
- "**Think Differently by Inverting Your Questions**" leans into a topic I've talked about in other newsletters - [inversion theory](https://makoism.com/inversion-e83977acc73a/). Some good reminders in the article on how to focus on a different picture and the steps that come before it - [More](https://dariusforoux.com/think-differently-invert-questions/)
- Some great visual thinking about the power of 'rest' in "**10 Rules for Assertive Rest**" - [More](https://jessicahagy.substack.com/p/10-rules-for-assertive-rest)
- The great [Tim Urban](https://waitbutwhy.com) reposted one of his classic articles, "**Stick Figure Puzzle**" this week and deserves a re-read - [More](https://waitbutwhy.com/2014/04/stick-figure-puzzle.html)
- "**Why Every Business Needs Powerful Storytelling**" talks about the concept of why our own human DNA is wired into '**corporate storytelling**': '*The more useful an idea, the more incentive we have to make it memorable and spreadable*.' and that human brainwaves sync with '*greater understanding and memory*' when stories are told - [More](https://www.gapingvoid.com/blog/2022/07/01/why-every-business-needs-powerful-storytelling/)
- Huh! "**People in the Middle Ages Slept Not Once But Twice Each Night: How This Lost Practice Was Rediscovered**" details the concept of Biphasic sleep and why the Industrial Revolution killed the practice. - [More](https://www.openculture.com/2022/01/people-in-the-middle-ages-slept-not-once-but-twice-each-night.html)
- Described as '*small moments of excruciating tension*,' "**How to navigate workplace awkwardness**" was a fun read (unfortunately behind a paywall, I think) on how to work through some of the office's more delicate moments - [More](https://www.economist.com/business/2022/07/14/how-to-navigate-workplace-awkwardness)
- We're all still going through the mess of hybrid, on-premise, and fully remote, and [Derek Thompson](https://www.theatlantic.com/author/derek-thompson/) has had some good thinking in the space. This week he talks about a new role, "The Synchronizer," in "**How to Solve Remote Work's Biggest Problem**." - [More](https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2022/07/remote-work-wfh-debate-management/670482/)
- "**This Is How To Have Emotionally Intelligent Relationships**" describes four secrets to free yourself from bad relationship habits. I find "*knowing your triggers*" (and potentially letting people know about them!) to be helpful - [More](http://bakadesuyo.com/2022/07/schema)

## Fin

Been listening to ["Do You Realize?" by The Flaming Lips](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Do%5FYou%5FRealize%3F%3F) on repeat for the last week. With the (err, leaked information) about the [Guardians of the Galaxy 3 trailer](https://screenrant.com/guardians-galaxy-3-trailer-song-do-you-realize-meaning/) from Comic-Con, we know that's the song featured in that trailer.

I figured it would be a great one to close out with today... I forgot how great of a song it is.

> *Do you realize? Ah-ah-ah* 
> *Do you realize? That everyone you know someday will die?* 
> *And instead of saying all of your goodbyes* 
> *Let them know you realize that life goes fast* 
> *It's hard to make the good things last* 
> *You realize the sun doesn't go down* 
> *It's just an illusion caused by the world spinning round*

Be well. ✌🏻