Grace and Tool Design

From the perspective of an assassin comes this mediation on the design of tools, from William Gibson's novel All Tomorrow's Parties.

The handles of a craftsman's tools bespeak an absolute simplicity, the plainest forms affording the greatest range of possibilities for the user's hand.


That which is overdesigned, too highly specific, anticipates outcome; the anticipation of outcome guarantees, if not failure, the absence of grace.

I am inclined to agree if not for the odd perspective that this reflection is filtered through the point of view of an assassin.

And so for day 580
15.07.2008