“Jumping the shark” refers to the episode on the 60’s TV series Happy Days where Fonzie water skis, with his leather jacket on of course, hits a ramp, and successfully jumps over an area where a shark is swimming. To put this idea into proper context:

Shows that have “jumped the shark” are typically deemed to have passed their peak.

I’ve been talking with members of the IA Institute and colleagues on Boxes and Arrows almost weekly since returning from the IDEA conference about a variety of initiatives.

In particular, @chrispalle and @chrissieb and I were talking on iChat about how when meet-ups and other events fall apart no one takes the time to reflect on why the event may have “jumped the shark”.

There is opportunity when things stop working. There is a chance to connect with others and build something even greater from an event, application, or theory that no longer holds value in the eyes of the community for which it was formed.

In all of the people I’ve interviewed this year I’ve found those who are well known in their industries for their ideas all have one thing in common: they’ve tried; failed; and learned to build better. They take the time to reflect, accept responsibility, and learn from their mistakes.

It’s not always possible to see when something is about to take that fateful voyage over the shark, but it is possible to pick up the pieces and create the next great event, application, or theory that could change the way we perceive the world around us.