---
title: FAIL Stamp
categories:
- personal
content-tags:
- FAIL
- media
- popular
---

In February of 2007, when the "FAIL" meme was still fresh, I had a gift made for my [PM Director][1] so she could denote inadequate requirements documentation.

![FAIL stamp](/media/2011-03-07-fail-stamp/FAIL-stamp-300x224.jpg)

I eventually posted a [picture on flickr][3].  It was shortly used by [TechCrunch][4] and gradually found its way to dozens of sites, including [Grist][5], [GigaOm][6], [ZDNet][7], [Mother Jones][8], and [Lifehacker][9].  It even inspired Facebook groups from [Kansas][10] to [England][11].

Eventually a peddler of tchotchkes produced a [small, plastic version][12].  I recommend, however, a [classic wooden stamp][13] and big pad of ink.

   [1]: http://twitter.com/dobeedeux
   [3]: http://www.flickr.com/photos/phobia/2308371224/
   [4]: http://eu.techcrunch.com/2008/04/11/microsofts-live-map-users-revolt-as-it-switches-on-multimap/
   [5]: http://www.grist.org/article/2009-12-21-the-top-green-stories-of-the-00s/PALL/
   [6]: http://gigaom.com/2010/04/06/facebook-wins-aol-throws-in-the-towel-on-bebo/
   [7]: http://www.zdnet.com.au/open-source-devs-irked-by-oracle-decision-339305331.htm
   [8]: http://motherjones.com/blue-marble/2010/12/real-glaciergate
   [9]: http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2011/03/the-more-you-fail-the-higher-you-can-set-your-goals/
   [10]: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=42891991640
   [11]: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=198440272723
   [12]: http://lolmart.com/product/failwin-stamps/
   [13]: http://orders.rubberstamps.net/ProductDetail.aspx?productid=WOODSTAMP21
