Further improve util func
Further improve util func

Got this feedback from @alloy, but then got sidetracked by robots.

artsy/metaphysics,mzikherman/metaphysics-1,craigspaeth/metaphysics,artsy/metaphysics,mzikherman/metaphysics-1,mzikherman/metaphysics-1,craigspaeth/metaphysics,artsy/metaphysics,mzikherman/metaphysics-1