Monday, November 25, 2019

Paradigm Shift

In The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, Thomas Kuhn argued that "progress" only happens when the prevailing theory, the current paradigm, is so beset with anomalies that a new model or theory needs to supplant it.

I finally "finished" my iPad holder:


Well, sort of.

The idea behind it was to make it like one of those foldy ones you can buy. I had gotten most of it done the last time I wrote about it. All that was left was to attach some elastic to hold the iPad in...


...which I finally completed. And it works, sort of...


The problem is, it doesn't hold it well. When I tip this up, the iPad slides downwards, making the elastic at the top superfluous. And when the thing is folded over, the iPad doesn't feel secure inside.

So, I pondered the problem last week. I could sew the elastic tighter. I could replace the elastic with corners of fabric. Perhaps another strip of fabric going across the iPad...

And that's when I realized that this was enough. I was done.

It's like a scientific theory that's had one too many ad hoc hypotheses added on. At some point you've got to trash it and start over with a simpler version.

The case I have for my Nook is nice. It works. I've had no issues with it.


I can do something similar to that for my iPad.

After pondering some more, I think I'm just going to rip out the fabric backing and elastic from what I've already knit. I'll sew up the sides. And voila, I'm done.

It was a nice experiment, but it failed. I learned something very important from it. Trying to make one of those foldy things is not worth the effort.

22 comments:

  1. Just make it like a purse - brilliant.

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  2. It still looks really nice, so there's good craftsmanship there.

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  3. It is cool looking though and it seems like you learned through your "mistakes" which I call a win-win!

    betty

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  4. Because I like to take photos with the iPad, I'm more for inserting it into a safe cozy envelope when not it use. I also like that you have a strap for the envelope design. Love the color. Won't be hard to find it. :-)

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  5. At least you don't have to frog it, and it will look great!

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    1. I don't think I would have frogged it. I don't know what I would have used it for, but I would have knitted a new thing entirely.

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  6. At least you a) learnt something and b) didn't waste the effort that went into stitching the case.

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  7. Nice! It's hard to let go of new plans, sometimes, so well done rethinking this.

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    1. It was getting to be too much trouble. Now it's all done.

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  8. Yes, you've learned via the experience & that's good. The pattern on your Nook case is really lovely, by the way.

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  9. I love it! They both remind me of the vintage crocheted purses I am so fond of. You did a great job! Sorry it didn't work out like you wanted it to.

    Kim

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    1. I'm glad it turned out as it did. I had been wanting to make a foldy one for so long. I needed to work out how it didn't work.

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  10. I don't think it as a failure. Trail and error and with some thought it will all work out.

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  11. One always has to try otherwise how does one learn. Great invention to me anyways. I love my Iphone holder

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  12. I would have used it for something else eventually. Maybe.

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  13. Well that does sound like a worthwhile lesson at least.

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    Replies
    1. Now if I can remember that the next time I think something up.

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