The Power of a Single Nail: How it Led to the Loss of a Kingdom

[PrudensOptimus]

For want of a nail, the Kingdom was lost!

 

[Cyrus]

I don't get it, what does the nail represent?

 

[PrudensOptimus]

Something small.

 

[Cyrus]

I guess it makes more sense in context.

 

[heartless]

a chain reaction. There was an ironic story in the old hackerdom about this,

In the beginning was the plan,
and then the specification;
And the plan was without form,
and the specification was void.

And darkness
was on the faces of the implementors thereof;
And they spake unto their leader,
saying:
"It is a crock of ****,
and smells as of a sewer."

And the leader took pity on them,
and spoke to the project leader:
"It is a crock of excrement,
and none may abide the odor thereof."

And the project leader
spake unto his section head, saying:
"It is a container of excrement,
and it is very strong, such that none may abide it."

The section head then hurried to his department manager,
and informed him thus:
"It is a vessel of fertilizer,
and none may abide its strength."

The department manager carried these words
to his general manager,
and spoke unto him
saying:
"It containeth that which aideth the growth of plants,
and it is very strong."

And so it was that the general manager rejoiced
and delivered the good news unto the Vice President.
"It promoteth growth,
and it is very powerful."

The Vice President rushed to the President's side,
and joyously exclaimed:
"This powerful new software product
will promote the growth of the company!"

And the President looked upon the product,
and saw that it was very good.

Anyway, I suggest, you PrudensOptimus should rather contribute to the already existing favorite-quote thread,

// edit, oops forgot,
Cyrus, a real nail :)
Here's full text:
For want of a nail, the shoe was lost;
For want of the shoe, the horse was lost;
For want of the horse, the rider was lost;
For want of the rider, the battle was lost;
For want of the battle, the kingdom was lost;
And all for the want of a horseshoe nail

 

[fourier jr]

the quotes thread is here:
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=23681