I think we've all met one

I really like signals vs noise, the design blog run by the folks at 37 Signals. Not because I like reading their insights about creating software, but because their insights into creating software regularly have validity for a wide range of creative and business activity.

For instance, earlier this week the guys posted about the danger of "the idea guy" – the guy who's full of great concepts...

You know the type. It’s the “this thing is going to be Facebook meets Flickr, but for dogs! If we can just get 1% of the online dog market, we’ll be rich!” spiel.

...but who can't actually contribute to creation of said great idea. This reminded me of the old writing joke about the writer who's dentist has a great idea for a screenplay. The dentist has it all worked out – he just needs someone to write it for him.

Anything that doesn't involve getting your hands dirty, or some long hours, or the odd sleepless night, probably isn't a great idea. Their point in the post, and mine elsewhere, is that you actually have to some skills that contribute to the execution of said great idea. Otherwise, like the dentist, you're not just devaluing the contribution of a large group of people, you're telling them you don't actually know what you're talking about.

For art directors, the comparable situation would be the client who tells you to "just photoshop" that 10K image so they can use it as the feature on their home page.

And as a CD/manager, even though I know that some distance from the day to day is essential for sanity and strategy, I find that I can't get too distanced from real jobs and real skills. Otherwise I become the quote unquote idea guy – the guy who lets other people worry about details like writing, design, production, site design... all the stuff the actually consumer sees.