Clever Idea

It was such a clever idea on paper. 

Most of the people who looked at it loved the "concept." [That word was used often.] Their eyes sparkled as they imagined various advantages. 'This could be really, really good" became an echo..

A few thought it was too clever by half. "There are many unknowns," they said. "This is such a big leap, what do we do if it doesn't work out?"

Their reservations were dismissed as undue caution. There are forces of nature that are less powerful than a group in love with an idea.

And so it came to pass. The glow was gone in a week. A faint glimmer was hiding in another galaxy within three weeks. The proponents became recluses or they suddenly found other places to be. Lessons learned? They didn't even want to talk about it.

Clever ideas have long recovery periods.