Batshittification: A Lens for Bold Ideas in a Sterile World

Why "reasonable" ideas won't save us—and what to do instead.

The Problem: A Sterile, Over-Optimized World

Look around. Everything is starting to feel the same.

We’ve optimized our products, services, and systems into a dull sameness:

• Products have been squeezed dry by over-engineered efficiency. Every app now means subscriptions; every platform means ads. It’s functionality over soul.

• Brands have dissolved into "the great brand soup"—same tone, same promise, same aesthetic. It’s a parade of indistinguishable entities promising authenticity or innovation, while delivering neither.

This isn’t just uninspired; it’s dangerous. Creativity—the lifeblood of innovation—is drowning under the weight of reasonable ideas.

But here’s the kicker: The best ideas—the ones that truly break through and transform industries—are not reasonable. They’re audacious. Unconventional. Sometimes even downright batshit.

Stuck in Algorithmia? Why Big Ideas Are Dying

Part of the problem is that creativity is being suffocated by our obsession with optimization and safety. We’ve fallen into what I call Algorithmia: a world dominated by algorithmic over-optimization that rewards sameness and penalizes risk.

Here’s how it’s happening:

1. Fear of Risk: Teams shy away from the big, bold bets because they’re terrified of being wrong. Instead, they choose “safe” ideas, which ironically guarantee mediocrity.

2. Homogeneity: Optimization leads to convergence. Everyone ends up playing by the same rules, with the same tools, until all creativity blends into a monotonous middle ground.

We’re trapped in a sea of blandness, and it’s time to find a way out.

A New Lens: The Power of Batshittification

Enter Batshittification: a mindset that dares us to explore the audacious, the unconventional, and the absurd. It’s a creative lens that pushes us to imagine ideas that don’t just feel bold—they might even feel impossible.

Because here’s the thing: The absurd is where breakthroughs often hide.

Consider this:

• The iPhone was once “a phone with no buttons.”

• Airbnb was “strangers sleeping in your house.”

• ChatGPT was “autocomplete for sentences.”

These weren’t just ideas—they were absurdities. And yet, they worked.

The Framework: How to Think Batshit

So, how do you apply the lens of Batshittification? Here’s the playbook:

1. Push Past Practicality

The first step is to let go of your need for “practical” solutions. Great ideas rarely start out as practical—they start as sparks. Give yourself permission to explore ideas that feel wild, unreasonable, or even laughable.

Ask yourself:

• “What’s the least likely solution that could still work?”

• “What’s the most outlandish way to solve this problem?”

2. Blend the Unblendable

Take two things that should never work together—and mash them up. Use AI or brainstorming tools to force combinations no human would dare to create.

For example: What happens when you mix Uber’s on-demand model with healthcare? Or TikTok’s algorithm with education?

Absurdity often leads to unexpected connections.

3. Look for Hidden Patterns

Sometimes the craziest ideas aren’t as crazy as they seem. The absurd can reveal hidden patterns or unmet needs that others have overlooked. When something feels "too out there," take a step back and ask: What’s the deeper signal here?

4. Prototype Fast

Don’t wait for perfection. Build quick, test often, and embrace failure. The goal is to uncover sparks, not deliver a flawless masterpiece on the first try.

Why Absurdity Works

Absurd ideas don’t just stand out—they can change everything.

Here’s why:

• They capture attention: In a sea of sameness, the absurd is impossible to ignore.

• They spark curiosity: Big, unconventional ideas invite people to imagine new possibilities.

• They create emotional resonance: Unlike logical solutions, absurdity has the power to connect with people on a deeper, more visceral level.

In short, absurdity is more than a creative exercise—it’s a competitive edge.

The Challenge: Finding Your Breakthrough

Not every wild idea will succeed. But here’s the secret: Your next breakthrough might be hiding in the batshit.

The next time you’re stuck, try this:

• Put on the lens of Batshittification.

• Ask yourself: “What’s the wildest idea we haven’t dared to try?”

• Look for the crazy idea that’s just absurd enough to succeed.

Closing Thoughts

Batshittification is more than just a mindset—it’s a tool for breaking free from the tyranny of sameness. In a world obsessed with reasonableness, it dares us to imagine the impossible, explore the absurd, and create the extraordinary.

So... what’s the first batshit idea you’ll explore?