Appreciation is not evaluation
Two things get filed under being seen: a person responding to the fact that you made something, and a person able to tell you which part of it works. Only the second one carries information, and I spent years reading
signal variance
Meaning
A measurable deviation or change in the characteristics of a communicated input, indicating underlying differences or shifts, is signal variance. It refers to the degree of fluctuation or difference observed in feedback or data points over time or across various inputs. Unlike a constant response, which offers no specific information for action, meaningful signal variance provides a clear indication of how specific changes or conditions affect an outcome.
It is the discernible pattern of change that allows a founder to differentiate between effective and ineffective actions. This variance allows for the identification of causal relationships and guides informed decision-making. The presence of signal variance is a prerequisite for learning and adaptation.
Information Content
The value of signal variance lies directly in its information content, which enables an operator to discern patterns and linkages. When a particular action leads to a measurable shift in the signal, it provides data about the efficacy or impact of that action. This content allows a founder to understand which elements of a product, service, or process are performing as intended and which require adjustment.
It transforms raw feedback into actionable intelligence for the creator.
Feedback Utility
Signal variance provides critical feedback utility by offering a gradient for improvement and adaptation. By observing how variations in inputs produce variations in outputs, a founder can identify optimal configurations or areas needing correction. This utility is essential for the iterative development process, where successive improvements depend on responsive and differentiated feedback.
The absence of such variance leaves a founder operating in a void, without clear indicators of progress or regression.
Iterative Cost
The absence or misinterpretation of signal variance imposes an iterative cost on the founder. Without clear, differentiated feedback, the founder expends extra hours and energy on trial-and-error, as each modification to the work lacks a measurable response. This means that iterations are not guided by data, increasing the time and resources required to achieve a desired outcome.
The cost is measured in extended development cycles and the capacity absorbed by undirected efforts, delaying market fit. Misreading a constant response as signal variance can lead to an equally costly pursuit of nonexistent patterns. This lack of objective feedback hinders efficient product development.