A gauntlet is a process where motivated users self-select.

· Bits and Bobs 6/8/26
  • A gauntlet is a process where motivated users self-select.
    • Getting through the gauntlet is hard, so only the most motivated users do it.
    • This can be used as a product roll-out strategy.
    • It can also be used to minimize harm from dangerous features.
      • For example requiring someone to run a command from the terminal to turn on a dangerous developer feature.
    • The fact that Bits and Bobs is a Google Doc is itself a form of gauntlet.
    • The gauntlet tests two things:
      • 1) Does the user have the capability to make it through the gauntlet?
      • 2) Does the user care about what's on the other side of the gauntlet?
    • As the world gets more and more cacophonous, gauntlets as filtering mechanisms get more and more important.
    • The shorter the gauntlet gets, the lower the average quality of things on the other side of the gauntlet.

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