# Ideas are like fish, both stink after three days

> My take on why a brand new idea feels like the greatest thing ever, but if you give it three days it starts to stink and you finally see its flaws.

Author: [Flavio Copes](https://flaviocopes.com/about/) | Published: 2021-04-11 | Topics: [Essays](https://flaviocopes.com/tags/essay/) | Canonical: https://flaviocopes.com/ideas-are-like-fish/

There's an old Italian saying:

> L'ospite è come il pesce: dopo tre giorni puzza

that dates back to Tito Maccio Plauto, 250 a.C. – 184 a.C..

In English it can be translated to "fish and visitors stink after three days", a quote that _for some reason_ is attributed to Benjamin Franklin, who was born 20 centuries after the saying was already popular in the "old world".

Anyway!

When I say ideas are like fish, I mean that once you have an idea it looks like the greatest thing ever.

I apply this to ideas for new apps to build.

> It's going to be super popular!

> Everyone will use my app!

It's also applicable to new features:

> I'm sure my users will find this a great new feature!

Give it 3 days. Let it sink.

After 3 days, the idea will smell like fish. You will see all its failures and defects.

You'll have a much better perspective on it.