April 17, 2007
the idiot filter
Adriana has this cartoon on her business card, which she bought from here.
Sure, it’s risky to have the f-bomb on your business card. But she tells me it makes a great “idiot filter” for her consultancy business. It weeds out the people who aren’t going to get her… who aren’t ever going to give her any business down the road. Just by the way they react to the card, she can immediately tell if there’s a connection or not.
High risk, high reward. Or something like that…
[Comment– Adriana:] “Absolutely works as an idiot filter. Especially in the US where it’s more risky to use the f-word in a business environment than it is in the UK. As I don’t ‘sell or pitch’ in the traditional way, I need to find those people who will be able to work with me. Or vice versa.”
ha ha, yes, ‘Idiot Filter’.
I can see how that would work. Only in reverse Hugh. If someone handed me a business card like that I’d be looking at an idiot.
What are the chances of you letting this comment through? Zero. Coward.
You proved Adriana’s point better than you know, Phil
HEY! That’s my blog card
They are also very convenient and useful book-marks although my six year old daughter picked it up and started reading it: “It’s all about being utterly fucked” with a big smile on her face. All goes to show that rude words really are funny
This is one of my favorite of your cartoons, Hugh. I never use language like that, and as a general rule I think there are better ways to convey ideas than to use profanities… but doggone it, this cartoon really nails it.
I wouldn’t put it on my own business card, ’cause the language isn’t true to who I am, but the sentiment certainly is…
Touche! Truly suprised to see you allow a non-sycophantic comment through. Nicely done. Keep up the good work old chap
Love the idiot filter. In the end, it saves everybody a lot of time and energy. It’s about taking people for what they really are.
Love the idiot filter.
The “sell a dinosaur a meteor” cartoon makes the perfect powerpoint slide for a startup pitching something to an “old media” company.
Absolutely works as an idiot filter. Especially in the US where it’s more risky to use the f-word in a business environment than it is in the UK. As I don’t ‘sell or pitch’ in the traditional way, I need to find those people who will be able to work with me. Or vice versa.
Also, it’s the message that resonates, with or without the f-word.
I used to have two types of cards — one without the f-word and this one. I just re-order another batch and kept only this above one. It was an executive decision..
Very cool.. Just keep making them, Hugh.
So you’re saying I’m an idiot if I take offense of what I think to be offensive language? It may be a filter but it does seem like ridicule is not warranted.
I opted for the “quality isn’t job one, being totally f-ing amazing is job one” card, and I agree with the sentiment. The message feels right to me, and if the person can’t jive with that, they probably can’t jive with me either.
Lighten up, David. I put “idiot filter” in quotation marks.
Anyway, if you find the language so offensive, what’cha doing reading my blog in the first place? Jeeze Louise
Guess it’s like the cows. Can’t keep away from the fences…
Guess it’s like the cows. Can’t keep away from the fences…
Now if you could only make “idiot filter” calling cards for those of us who are single …
sorry if I sound like an old fart (in a corridor?) but the bit I like most about this card isn’t the f-word, it’s the first sentence. I’ve found the more arrogant the person is, the less susceptible they are to threats. And boy do I have a lot of arrogant people to convince in my company