Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with detail

What you don't know may KILL you.

sixcolors — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 18:31:20 -0800

How is paying attention to detail an extremely important skill in the military? I know "why", not doing so can get you or somone else killed, but I don't know "what" people are referring to. Lately, I've been developing interest in learning about the military. A phrase that comes up over and over is "paying attention to detail is crucial". I'm curious what people are referring to. Is it ike noticing that moving green shapes in the plants/trees/bushes are actually your enemies in camoflage? Or something more complex?

Books about craftsmanship?

OmieWise — Wed, 28 Jun 2006 12:38:34 -0800

I'm interested in reading about craftsmanship, in the sense of attention to detail and finish as it relates to the overall success of a project. My specific project is ceramics, and so books (and suggestions) about pottery would be really appreciated, but I'm interested in other disciplines as well. I'm not entirely sure that what I'm asking about exists, and of course the short answer for me is to simply pay more attention to what I'm doing and the details that make something seem really well crafted, but I'm looking for more philosophical ruminations about the nature of craftsmanship and craft, and about what separates the acceptable from the really good. There are certainly spiritual traditions (the Shakers, some Japanese crafts) where attention to craft is considered a necessary part of any undertaking.

I'd be happy to read about personal experience, but book suggestions would be really great.

(While I'm interested in the "spirituality" of artistic production, I'm not at all a fan of new agey stuff, so would really prefer to avoid anything in that vein.)

How do I become a more careful, detail-oriented person

bananafish — Mon, 06 Feb 2006 08:35:12 -0800

How can I become a more careful, detail-oriented person? (more inside) This is something that I've struggled with my whole life. It causes problems in both my personal and professional lives. I seem to get the big picture, but miss the little things and that can cause havoc. A good example: in college I filled out the financial aid form in the space where the financial aid office was supposed to fill it out. I was almost brought up on honor code charges for this (thankfully a kind assistant dean realized that I had just made a mistake and hadn't been trying to swindle the loan company). I've made other similar mistakes in terms of paying attention to instructions and being careful about small details. In my personal life, I tend to lose things: keys, glasses, etc.
Jobs often require you to be "detail-oriented." How do you acquire this skill if you didn't come by it innately? Personal stories as well as reference to helpful books are welcome.