"Sacred cows make the best hamburgers"
This is a well known quote often attributed to Mark Twain. It's hard to determine if it did originate from him. There is something rather pleasing about the image of Mark Twain sitting in a diner waxing lyrical about life and distributing witty bon mots while chowing down on a burger with a side of fries. But it does seem a bit incongrous. I suppose it's possible for him to have been aware of or perhaps eaten a 'Hamburg Steak' during his life time.
This post is not about Mark Twain or hamburgers. It's about the sentiment behind the quote. Sacred cows are immune from criticism. It's an often used idiom by advocates of change.
It came to mind today when considering a much used and indeed former award winning website. It could be argued that in some quarters it had become a sacred cow. To others it has faced criticism, not for what it was but for what it has become. The trouble is that this particular sacred cow is still producing milk, even if at times it's sour and likely to decline in yeild. The question is when to make some burgers. Now, or in a year or so when the milk is either drying up or needs to be poured away.
In this particular case, I'd say let's enjoy some tasty sacred cow burgers now. Let's not wait until it's too late. It won't be easy. There will be challenges. But it will be easier today than tomorrow. We could even put it out to pasture for a bit while we introduce something new. Then enjoy the burger with relish.