Pattern recognition helps us navigate the world using a form of stereotyping.
However, when a pattern deviates from the standard, we’ll experience an anomaly.
Anomalies are peculiarities or inconsistencies in what is expected.
An anomalous observation is often immediately ignored… But sometimes anomalies can be business opportunities.
For instance, Akio Morita created the Sony Walkman by initially observing that teenagers were carrying ridiculously large radios next to their heads.
It didn’t make sense, but they were doing it anyway.
This observation led to the creation of the Walkman which changed music forever… Becoming the precursor to the iPod, iPhone, etc.
What anomalies should you pay attention to?