toast to variation

So, I got to thinking on the way home from work today, which is rare. But anyway.

In manufacturing, our whole focus is the reduction and/or elimination of variation. Variation is the scourge of manufacturing.

However, variation is everywhere in nature. Can you imagine if all flowers were identical? If every tree had the same number of leaves, precisely? If we all as humans were identical? If everyone's farts smelled the same??

So why is it that we try so hard to eliminate variation? I am glad we have variation.

So let's all raise our glasses in a toast to variation. May your next beer taste slightly different.