Jul
16
On Patterns
If you ever meet two folks who collaborate well, who can finish each other’s thoughts, chances are they share a pattern language. When one says “lightbox it”, the other knows exactly what he means. At some point, the two agreed on what a “lightbox” was and what applying that to something meant. It might have been a project in their past, or a conversation they had over drinks. Either way, some bit of history created a shared pattern between those individuals. An inside joke you’re not privy to.
Jack Shedd on the idea of a Pattern Language that we each have, and the importance of making sure that what you think something means is the same as what someone else thinks it means.