When we do yoga or casual stretching, there’s a reason we’re told to hold a stretch for a minute or more.

In the first 30 seconds or so, the inverse stretch reflex actively stops us from stretching too deeply, as a protective mechanism. That’s why it’s largely useless to stretch for ten seconds. It’s a concept that’s stuck with me since high school physiology.

There’s a similar phenomenon in the internet today. The internet hive-mind typically has a forceful, knee-jerk reaction to any new product or idea.

The Cybertruck looks stupid! The Vision Pro was a colossal misstep by Apple! Jaguar’s new branding sucks!

The truth is always more nuanced. Today Cybertrucks are everywhere, the Vision Pro is the future of computing whether anyone realizes it or not, and in time, Jaguar will find a rabid fanbase who defiantly champion their products precisely because everyone else hates them.

Why else would so many people buy a Hummer in the 90s, happily getting 4 gallons per mile?

Just like with stretching, we have to push past the inverse internet reflex. We have to let the first reactions pass, because they’re seldom the most important.