Sturgeon’s Law: A Powerful Tool for Finding Quality
You’re scrolling through an endless list of self-help books online, each one promising to change your life. Or maybe you’re looking for a podcast that will give you the motivation boost you need, but after listening to a few, they all sound the same. Ever feel like most of what’s out there just isn’t worth your time? This is where Sturgeon’s Law comes into play. It’s a simple idea: 90% of everything is… well, not great. Whether it’s books, videos, or articles, the majority of the content in any field is likely to be of low quality.
But here’s the good news: that means there’s still a valuable 10% out there, waiting to be discovered. So, how do you make sure you’re focusing on that top 10%? That’s exactly what this article delight dive into. Sturgeon’s Law isn’t just a filter for what you consume, it’s a powerful tool to help you save your time, energy, and attention by cutting through the noise and focusing only on the highest-quality content.
What is Sturgeon’s Law ?
Sturgeon’s Law is the adage that states, “90% of everything is crap.” It suggests that in any field—whether it’s literature, art, movies, or self-help content—the vast majority of works are of low quality, with only a small fraction standing out as exceptional. The term was coined by American science fiction writer Theodore Sturgeon in the 1950s. Sturgeon was responding to criticism that 90% of science fiction is bad, and his response was, “90% of everything is crap.” What Sturgeon was highlighting wasn’t just limited to science fiction but to any form of creative work.
The principle grew in popularity because it accurately reflects the abundance of mediocre content in any field, from books to products. Sturgeon’s Law is now widely applied as a mental model to help people focus on the small percentage of high-quality work, while discarding the overwhelming majority that isn’t worth their attention.
Why Sturgeon’s Law Matters in Today’s World
In today’s digital age, we are constantly bombarded with content—be it blog posts, podcasts, YouTube videos, or social media advice. The sheer volume of available resources is overwhelming, and not all of it is good. This is where Sturgeon’s Law becomes extremely useful. It helps us recognize that most of what’s out there simply isn’t worth our time.
Applying this law means we can avoid wasting resources—like time, energy, and money—on content or products that don’t add value to our lives. Instead, we focus on the 10% that truly makes a difference.
Top 10 practical ways to apply Sturgeon’s Law in daily life
- Selective social media use: Skip scrolling through endless low-value posts and engage only with meaningful, inspiring content.
- Streamline your media consumption: Avoid wasting time on low-quality TV shows, movies, or podcasts; focus on highly rated content.
- Declutter your emails: Unsubscribe from irrelevant newsletters and focus on emails that provide value or important information.
- Optimize online learning: Prioritize courses with expert endorsements over generic or low-rated ones.
- Reduce app clutter: Delete unnecessary apps that don’t serve your goals or improve your daily productivity.
- Minimize content overload: Only subscribe to YouTube channels, blogs, or newsletters that consistently offer value in your areas of interest.
- Prioritize relationships: Focus on meaningful relationships that contribute to your well-being, instead of spreading your attention thin across shallow connections.
- Savor quality food: Eat healthy, well-prepared meals rather than indulging in easily available junk food that offers little nutritional value.
- Exercise wisely: Focus on workout routines that are proven to work for your goals, rather than following every fitness fad.
- Be selective with advice: Follow advice from people with experience and success rather than listening to everyone’s opinion.
Using Sturgeon’s Law as a Creator
1. Recognizing Your Competition
As a creator, whether you’re writing a blog, making videos, or developing products—Sturgeon’s Law can be empowering. Seeing the massive amount of work already out there can be discouraging, but remember that most of it is likely low-quality. This means your well-thought-out content or product has a much better chance of standing out.
2. Evaluating Your Own Work
On the flip side, Sturgeon’s Law can also help you take a critical look at your own creations. Are you contributing to the 90% or aiming for the top 10%? Use this principle as motivation to refine and improve your work before sharing it with the world.
Final Takeaway
Your time and attention are limited. By understanding that most of what’s available is likely not worth it, you can become more efficient in how you use your resources. Instead of endlessly consuming low-quality content or wasting time on unproductive activities, Sturgeon’s Law helps you focus on high-quality material that leads to meaningful improvement. By applying this principle, you cut through the clutter and find the strategies, habits, and advice that actually work for you.
Further insights, read Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown https://amzn.to/3Yqbv7l
Read also : Agon vs. Helix Mindset: Which One Fuels Your Success? https://thebrightdelights.com/agon-vs-helix-mindset-which-one-fuels-your-success/