Find things that are at the edges because that’s where the real magic happens. It’s about stepping out of the safe, crowded center and exploring the frontiers where true innovation and connection are found. If you’re not on the edge, you’re just part of the noise.
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Meaning
The core message is simple but profound: Safety is an illusion that breeds mediocrity. The real value, the real breakthroughs, and the real opportunities for growth exist in the uncertain, unexplored, and often uncomfortable spaces.
Explanation
Let me break this down for you based on what I’ve seen work, time and again. The “edges” Godin talks about aren’t a physical place. They’re a mindset. Think about it. The center of any market, any industry, any trend—it’s a crowded, bloody red ocean. Everyone’s fighting for the same scraps of attention, doing the same things, and wondering why they’re not growing.
But the edges? That’s where you find the Purple Cows. It’s where you can be remarkable. It could be an edge in your marketing strategy, a niche customer segment everyone else ignores, a new technology that seems too risky, or a business model that defies convention. The friction at the edge is where the heat is generated. That’s where you create something that’s truly worth talking about.
It’s not easy. It’s scary. But the data doesn’t lie—the most successful campaigns, products, and leaders I’ve worked with all share one trait: they got comfortable being uncomfortable.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Category | Success (341) |
| Topics | creativity (51), discovery (4), innovation (32) |
| Literary Style | clear (348), reflective (255) |
| Emotion / Mood | curious (37) |
| Overall Quote Score | 82 (297) |
Origin & Factcheck
This quote comes straight from Seth Godin’s 2003 book, Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable. It’s a cornerstone of his philosophy. You sometimes see this idea paraphrased or echoed by other thinkers, but the specific phrasing about “edges” and “interesting things” is authentically Godin’s, from that specific book published in the United States.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Seth Godin (100) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable (43) |
| Origin Timeperiod | 21st Century (1892) |
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
Author Bio
Seth Godin writes and teaches about marketing, leadership, and creative work. After earning an MBA from Stanford, he founded Yoyodyne, sold it to Yahoo!, and later launched ventures like Squidoo and the altMBA. He has authored bestsellers such as Permission Marketing, Purple Cow, Tribes, Linchpin, and This Is Marketing. He posts daily at seths.blog and speaks globally about making work that matters. If you’re starting with the Seth Godin book list, expect insights on trust, storytelling, and shipping creative projects that change culture.
| Official Website | Facebook | X
Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | Find things that are at the edges. The edges are where interesting things happen |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 2003; ISBN/Unique Identifier: 9781591843177; Last edition: 2010; Number of pages: 160. |
| Where is it? | Chapter 18: The Edges, page 103/160 |