Risk on Mia Heidenstedthttps://heidenstedt.org/tags/risk/Recent content in Risk on Mia Heidenstedt HugoenThu, 16 Apr 2026 07:56:47 +0000Willingness to look stupidhttps://heidenstedt.org/links/willingness-to-look-stupid/Fri, 13 Mar 2026 11:19:56 +0000https://heidenstedt.org/links/willingness-to-look-stupid/ Best viewed on the original page, where extended functionality like the footnote helper is available.

Willingness to look stupid

Hacker News Comments

TLDR (Generated)

The “McDonald’s Theory” suggests that pitching a deliberately bad idea is the fastest way to overcome creative blocks and inspire a team to come up with better solutions.

  • Break the ice with bad ideas: Suggesting something universally disliked (like McDonald’s for lunch) unites people in disagreement and forces them to generate superior alternatives.
  • The first step is the hardest: Don’t overthink it; the primary goal is just to start, because taking action—even poorly—makes the second step much easier.
  • Silence the inner critic: Ignore self-doubt and procrastination by forcing yourself to get your thoughts onto paper or a whiteboard immediately.
  • Spark collaboration: Once an idea is out in the open, even a flawed one, it acts as a catalyst for the group to naturally revise, refine, and build upon it together.
]]> Best viewed on the original page, where extended functionality like the footnote helper is available.

Willingness to look stupid

Hacker News Comments

TLDR (Generated)

The “McDonald’s Theory” suggests that pitching a deliberately bad idea is the fastest way to overcome creative blocks and inspire a team to come up with better solutions.

  • Break the ice with bad ideas: Suggesting something universally disliked (like McDonald’s for lunch) unites people in disagreement and forces them to generate superior alternatives.
  • The first step is the hardest: Don’t overthink it; the primary goal is just to start, because taking action—even poorly—makes the second step much easier.
  • Silence the inner critic: Ignore self-doubt and procrastination by forcing yourself to get your thoughts onto paper or a whiteboard immediately.
  • Spark collaboration: Once an idea is out in the open, even a flawed one, it acts as a catalyst for the group to naturally revise, refine, and build upon it together.
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