Software Design: Tidy First?

Thinkies

"Obviously..."

Kent Beck's avatar
Kent Beck
Aug 29, 2023
∙ Paid

The last language-oriented Thinkie is contrarianism in action.

Pattern: Someone begins a sentence with, “Obviously…”

Transformation: Ask yourself what is true if they are wrong. What happens if you make the opposite assumption.

Example: “Obviously, bigger organizations [ed: I almost wrote “bitter organizations”] go slower.” Why is this the assumption? I me…

User's avatar

Continue reading this post for free, courtesy of Kent Beck.

Or purchase a paid subscription.
© 2026 Kent Beck · Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start your SubstackGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture