I Am An Edge Case Magnet 🧲

Have you ever been the only person to experience something that has literally never occurred before you experienced it? When it happens through your use of something considered “normal” or otherwise generally available to the public or your cohort, it can be considered an “edge case”. I feel that I have a greater-than-average chance at discovering or being impacted by edge cases.

For example, I own a soundbar that we’ve been enjoying for almost two years. It’s nothing special and has all the features you’d expect for inputs and outputs, infrared (IR) remote, and so on. About six months ago I purchased a rechargeable/wireless light fixture that came with its own IR remote. One night while we were enjoying some media, I needed to kill the soundbar volume. Imagine my surprise when I hit the “Mute” button on the soundbar remote and the light fixture blazed to life!

It happens to me a lot. I’ve taken to calling my knack for running into edge cases my super-power. As super-powers go, it’s alright. Like many abilities, this one can be both a blessing and a curse. It all hinges on the context and severity of the particular squishy edge I happened to smash through.

I plan on writing about some of the more frustrating, hilarious, and down-right flabbergasting edge cases I have experienced and will likely continue to experience if my history is any kind of guide.