The smiling curve: when efficiency rises, the middle drops out.

· Bits and Bobs 11/10/25
  • The smiling curve: when efficiency rises, the middle drops out.
    • The extremes get more powerful, while the middle goes to zero.
    • Hyper-niche and hyper-scale do well.
      • The r-selected and the k-selected.
    • Friction is what protects mediocrity.
      • When it goes away, the middle drops out.
      • In high friction environments, good enough is fine.
    • The smooth curve was actually an illusion, propped up by friction.