Comments on: live on the edges or not at all

By: Jon Husband

Jon Husband — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:56:45 +0000

Can’t be edges without a center … both have their uses, the trick is to know which, for what, when and exactly why.

By: Joshua Smith

Joshua Smith — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:03:29 +0000

You really can’t get more right on than that. Indeed, the middle is the worst spot at the party. Mediocre is a terrible word. Don’t know many people that would like to be described as mediocre, but still that’s what so many are.

By: Julian Bond

Julian Bond — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:28:28 +0000

Nothing interesting happens in the middle.

By: Rasul Sha'ir

Rasul Sha'ir — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 06:45:08 +0000

Being on the edge is exhilarating and rewarding and I personally can’t stand to be anywhere else. . .BUT, beware. As much as being on the edge is where its at it is pointless if you are the only one there. As much as edgelings hate the masses you need them. One cannot “be” without the existence of the other. The real key is how to be on the edge and be in the crowd simultaneously. As a famous academic once said on the Bill Maher show “you can be mainstream but don’t be MAINSTEAMED”. That’s when you know you’re cookin. Living in both worlds at the same time.

By: Dode

Dode — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 05:36:19 +0000

In nature the edges are generally the most interesting places, highest diversity and often potentially highly productive parts of the system. If you think of the edges of a forest clearing, or the edges of grassland, it where two different systems meet and it becomes more than both.
In systems of sustainable design like permaculture this is usually recognised and exploited.

By: Joaquin

Joaquin — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 04:09:55 +0000

Hmmmm…and when ¨edgelings¨ get there, they find people with their same ¨worldview¨ (as Seth Godin would put it), which gives them some reassurance.
So that´d be the niche herd-market of survival?
Anyways, I find this to be very related to something you wrote a while ago. To me is what justifies taking the first step towards ¨edgelingness¨, it´s Trust Manifesto:
¨Frankly, I think you´re better off doing something on the assumption that you will NOT be rewarded for it, that it will NOT receive the recognition it deserves, that it will NOT be worth the time and effort invested in it¨.
But you know that getting to ¨your¨ edge, IS worth it. And so you do and survive.

By: Jake Edwards

Jake Edwards — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 03:17:12 +0000

the edge is here.
THE EDGE is exactly where it`s at.
beware the “hard edge” of radical genius.
the edge is hard to define, delineate or render tangible
the edge is all consuming.
EX CULTU ROBUR.

By: Ben Kunz

Ben Kunz — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 02:24:29 +0000

It’s probably not an either or. I’d suggest the strongest genes in the human pool came from ancestors who lived on the edge — took risks to gain more food, reward, children, recognition — without going too far to get killed.
The hunters who hunted best, and the gatherers who gathered more, pushed hard, won, and passed their genes on to children.
You might then extrapolate that the modern safety and comfort of society has removed the need for Edgelings … since we have all the food and energy and shelter we need. So the instinct of the followers to follow the Herd is now re-emerging.
Humanity may thus be on a tipping point. Do we still push to the edge? Or do we let comfort draw us to the herd?
See people at the end of Wall-E for cautionary tale

By: Gordie

Gordie — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:15:53 +0000

It seems to me that the sheep in the middle of the herd don’t see much of what’s out there beyond the herd, and must rely on the edgelings to warn them when the wolves are approaching. Or inform them where the next bit of edible grass is. Without those on the edge, the herd is lost.
Save the herd. Be an edgeling.
Gordie
@biblinski

By: Charlie

Charlie — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:07:20 +0000

Couldn’t agree more. The masses suck up whatever nonsense is put in front of them; that’s what makes them the masses. Life’s too short for mediocrity, so live at the edges.

By: RKR

RKR — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 22:35:41 +0000

Don’t you just love “dancing on the line”
…you take one step over, then one step back…it is almost like the hokey-pokey…and isn’t that what it is all about?

By: Evan

Evan — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 22:12:10 +0000

As mantra’s go, I love this.
“if you’re on the hunt for “Interesting”, you’re going to find it far more easily on the edges”; maybe because they force you to pick a side. On the edge, you are much further away from your opposite.
By being an edge, you take a stand on something; therefore taking a stand against the opposite. Anyone in the center is not even around for the conversation (Mervyns; K mart)
But someone needs to be in the middle for there to be an edge. Do we need to trample the bodies of the too slow/too boring? Can someone “interestingly” hold the middle?

By: Mark Bean

Mark Bean — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 20:59:44 +0000

If you’re not living on the edge you’re taking up too much space in the World.

By: Shelley Noble

Shelley Noble — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 20:59:24 +0000

Viva la Edgelings!

By: tom

tom — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 20:49:10 +0000

what’s the difference between a herd and a flock?
If you amazing and interesting but living on the edge you’ll pretty soon attract others, a flock, which pretty soon will look like a herd and suddenly your not the edge any more your the middle.
So be edgy and shit to ensure you stay on the edge.
Even tennis was once edgy