The Earwig Principle
When I was a kid one of the most terrifying insects would have to be the earwig. This was a bug that didn’t just bite you, or sting you (although we were pretty sure it could probably do that too), but it could actually get down into you ear, and… well, we weren’t quite sure what (or how it would actually get down there), but whatever it was it definitely wasn’t good!
The interesting thing is, I don’ know of anyone who was actually hurt by an earwig in any way. I don’t know if they actually get into your ear or not, and certainly none of us at that time knew of anyone.
But that wasn’t spoken of. You didn’t question these types of things. You didn’t ask how people knew, or rather the fears were realistically founded on anything.
You just knew.
Good thing we’ve all grown up now… Or have we?
How many people have you run into in business that have a huge reputation? There are those people that everyone wants to work with. The people that everyone has huge respect for because of all they have accomplished and done. But no one is entirely sure exactly what they have done. They just know it’s a lot. Hell, EVERYONE knows.
It still shocks me how many of these “earwigs” there are in business. These are the people in your business community who give out advice, and people blindly follow it. These are the people that people want to have on their advisory boards. These are the “investors” that are always considering your deal very seriously, but no one is quite sure what other deals they have invested in… but they’re definitely an investor.
These people are… A colossal waste of your time at best, and a potential ponzi scheme or other pitfalls at worst.
Watch for earwigs friends. Ask the questions. Realize that the emperor is naked and move on. We’re not kids anymore. It’s okay to ask what the hell the thing actually does, and then when no one can answer, just step on the damn bug.
That earwig stuff gives me the heebiegeebies. I read this and just want to scratch my ears.
@Dan LOL… I hear you!
Turns out they are called earwigs because of their common appearance feasting inside “ears” of corn. I don’t think they pose much of a risk to human ears. Which just supports your point even more. Though I’ll admit, they are grotesque.