The one I always enjoyed the most was from http://37signals.com/28:
Trends are temporary. Don't just do something because everyone else is doing it – do something because it makes sense.
I know I sound curt, but don't you find the bit about trends you quoted a tad ironic here on HN?
I mean, what's more trendy in Web3.0 than web apps with landing pages featuring a few bands of color for a background, drop shadows, Apple-like icons, 2 short sentences, and a request to signup?
> Don't just do something because everyone else is
> doing it – do something because it makes sense.
I can't speak for the particulars of gradients or drop-shadows, but if two-sentence landing pages with an obvious call to action get signups, then it makes sense to do things that way.
I guess the inverse of the advice is "Don't refuse to do something just because it's trendy -- base your choice on whether or not it makes sense."
However, I want to note that by following an effective trend, the "two-sentence landing pages with an obvious call to action" in this case, isn't there a chance that one might be missing an even more effective/efficient way of doing things? Sure it works, but does it work the best?
>I guess the inverse of the advice is "Don't refuse to do something
>just because it's trendy -- base your choice on whether or not it
>makes sense."
Also couldn't agree more, I think there is a really fine line between innovating because you think you can do better and innovating because you want to avoid the trend.
I do find it ironic actually and that is why I like that one. It is very easy to be trendy and I think you know you are onto something big when it easily breaks them.
And for a good laugh: http://37signals.com/enormicom