Play at the Edges

Most products and services struggle with identity. If people can’t tell what makes you different, they assume you’re the same as everything else in the category.

This is a post about how taking an opinionated position shapes differentiated higher value. When a product or service carries a clear point of view, people understand its intent. They understand the tradeoffs, the choices, and the purpose. That clarity increases the value people attach to the offering.

A clear point of view signals a deep understanding of the problem to be solved and conviction to do something about it. Importantly, it can support a higher value for the product or service.

Here is an example I came across this week, which inspired this post.

Differentiation through craftsmanship

Tim Dessaint’s brand, Dessaint Studio, launched a sweater built around one clear principle: extreme quality. Each sweater weighs 1.3kg. It is unapologetically heavy. The weight is a selling point. It filters the buyers, a product for people who care about craftsmanship and permanence. The premium price makes sense because the maker is standing firmly at one edge, and everything about the product reinforces that stance.

This is the power of being opinionated. Clarity creates value and helps customers understand exactly what they are paying for, enabling a compelling story. That conviction also builds trust and suggests all "features" are deliberate by design.

The edges create value

Edges are where value is created. When you take a clear, opinionated stance, people get it. They can see why you made certain choices and what you’re trying to deliver. That kind of clarity increases perceived value by showing intention. You can lean toward craftsmanship, innovation, or something else, but you have to choose. The middle is where differentiation dies.

Pick an edge. Own it. Signal it clearly. That is how products, companies, and ideas become memorable.

Go play at the edges.

Finds

Agents, robots, and us: Skill partnerships in the age of AI //

As we approach the end of the year, we’ll begin to see predictions for the upcoming year and beyond. Naturally, agents will be included in these lists. This report indicates that while more than 50% of US work hours could be automated, this does not mean widespread job loss. Over 70% of the in-demand skills for the future are expected to remain vital but will evolve in new, blended contexts as intelligent systems (agents and robots) take over routine tasks, allowing people to focus on framing problems, applying interpretive judgment, and providing oversight.

Opus 4.5: the next step for legal agents? //

Another week, another model release. We’ve now had three major releases in the past seven days! Matt provides a summary of improvements and how they might affect legal AI agents. It includes advancements in managing complex, multi-step workflows, better interaction with external tools, improved memory across tasks, and more reliable agent behavior.

Lenny’s Gift Guide //

Struggling to decide what to gift others (or yourself) this holiday season? Lenny’s gift guide has you covered with everything from home, kids, and family-friendly items to gadgets and premium products.

Until next time.