In the Tarot (Using Rider Waite as the base example) “The Fool” is referred to as the “0” card. As someone who came up through the world of Software Engineering, I’m pleased by the concept of null based indexing. You are counting based on completions to over simplify (Though, I think Dijkstra would shudder at my definition). From this point of view; the Fool is at the beginning of a journey and we haven’t yet taken that first step.
Wikipedia offers a great look into the symbolism found in the standard art of this card:
The Fool is the spirit in search of experience. He represents the mystical cleverness bereft of reason within us, the childlike ability to tune into the inner workings of the world. The sun shining behind him represents the divine nature of the Fool’s wisdom and exuberance, holy madness or ‘crazy wisdom‘. On his back are all the possessions he might need. In his hand there is a flower, showing his appreciation of beauty. He is frequently accompanied by a dog, sometimes seen as his animal desires, sometimes as the call of the “real world”, nipping at his heels and distracting him. He is seemingly oblivious that he is walking toward a precipice, apparently about to step off.
The number 0 is a perfect significator for the Fool, as it can become anything when he reaches his destination as in the sense of ‘joker’s wild’. Zero plus anything equals the same thing. Zero times anything equals zero.[6]Zero is nothing, a lack of hard substance, and as such it may reflect a non-issue or lack of cohesiveness for the subject at hand.
So with an idea and some enthusiasm I stand at the edge of the cliff ready to see if there is a place to walk or a place to fall. I assure you the dog nipping at my heel is actually closer to a great Dane or English Mastiff than the Corgi like pup pictured in the image. I know that I am not a business man. I do try to convince myself that I can play one; but in all honesty it’s not where my talents lie. I shudder to use the word visionary because that word seems to carry a lot of ego and accomplishment. The former I try not to have and the latter I know I lack. But I can see things clearly in my head. I can take them apart into their components and see how they get put back together. Sort of like Sylar without the bloodlust. (Okay, maybe a little bloodlust)
Today, I am putting together an agenda for a meeting I have with some people that I not only trust with a business idea but have enough acumen and experience to help get things started. yesterday, after a bout with illness and the accompanying poor mindset that often accompanies it; I was able to update certain licenses with Apple to my current base of operations. This means that apps can now be produced and sold. My spouse reminds me that even a small app in the pond is enough to get the water potentially flowing. So, I move back to looking at those apps in the meantime.
Tomorrow, I present the main idea and the timeline I have to my business comrades. I am truly building from a zero point and looking ahead from there. The simple short range goal comes in three hopefully easy steps:
- Work up some buzz from friends to see how insane I am (Done that, turns out… Not insane or friends share same insanity)
- Talk about the viability of the idea. Can it work, what is monetise-able?
- Map out a time-frame/roadmap that takes us from research and Proof of concept, through Kickstarter, to implementation.
- Jump
Honestly at this point I need a strong enough business plan and road map to at least try to find one of two angels to say, “Yes… this is thought out and has a reasonable chance of success.” Of course I also have to in step 2 talk about how I compensate people for time in the “Buildup” phase. This is a fancy term which means, “IOU” Somehow, people’s support (including my own) need to be recorded and duly compensated in the long run.
So, the gaping maw of the world awaits. Tomorrow I gather colleagues that I have known for a combination of 65 years covering a distance of about 4,000 miles (Though our individual travels have been much further). My colleagues have experience in business, technical knowledge, and design. I also have a small fleet of supporters with experience in the target audience I’m hoping to move into.
It’s a leap. Unlike the Fool, I’d hope it’s not a completely blind leap based on Success from not knowing what other’s know doesn’t work.
More as more happens. Wishes of Skill, Luck, and Support more than welcome.
Halfway through the first week. I have an idea, I have people’s enthusiasm, and a lot of abject fear.
Over the past week I have looked at every partial piece of software I have. A few I have poked at while others I’ve just sort of stared at like a staff sergeant looking over a bunch of fresh-faced new recruits wondering why half of them are even here. One of the projects my wife and I have wanted to make for a while has been at the front of the line. I did some coding on it a month or so back. It seemed like a nifty idea.
So, despite today being a minor government holiday, “National ‘People who Ignore the fact that we have Veterans’ Subjugation Day” it was also the first day of the next step in my work career.