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Please don't stop looking for a cofounder. It's true that all it additionally takes to be a solo-founder is self-discipline, but as a human being you are psycho

by eldude 11y ago

Please don't stop looking for a cofounder. It's true that all it additionally takes to be a solo-founder is self-discipline, but as a human being you are psychologically and emotionally unequipped to deal with this. Let me explain... On History, there's a self-filmed TV show about 10 survivalist dropped off separately on Vancouver Island competing for $0.5M to be the last standing. The show is fantastic, not for the impressive survival skills, but for the human psychology. The show is called "Alone," and I'm fairly certain they (re)named the show after filming. What you witness over the course of just weeks, is nearly every wilderness expert abruptly losing their will to go on because there is nobody to share it with. They openly acknowledge that they have what it takes to continue, and were originally okay with being away from their family indefinitely, but they all just completely lose their desire and interest in winning or continuing because they are so alone. In short, isolation doesn't just make it more difficult for you to achieve your goals, it rips the desire to achieve them from your psyche altogether! This is empirically shown and self evident in numerous aspects of society: solitary confinement being classified as torture, team dynamics, mentors, pair bonding, tribalism, etc... It's also why YC (mostly) doesn't accept solo-founders, as well as many other respected VCs. [1] http://www.history.com/shows/alone/about http://www.history.com/shows/alone/about

SneakerXZ 11y ago
This also heavily depends on your personality. My guess would be the survivalist were extroverts and it was also the main reason why they went into this show. But most programmers are introverts and lone wolfs and they don't necessarily need others to share their experience with.
- dopeboy 11y ago
  I respectfully disagree. Being introverted != no need to share their experiences. Every human craves to share their experience with someone and be validated (see social media). Some do it more than others and through other means. Also, at some point that lone wolf programmer is going to need to stop building and start selling. Overcoming 100 compiler errors is much easier and faster than getting 100 nos and 1 yes. Try going through a brutal sales cycle like that and tell me whether that introvert would last without someone to ride the roller coaster with.
  - lazyjones 11y ago
    > Also, at some point that lone wolf programmer is going to need to stop building and start selling Selling doesn't require a co-founder, just sales people. > Try going through a brutal sales cycle like that and tell me whether that introvert would last without someone to ride the roller coaster with. I did for 15 years (till a comfortable exit recently). I'm not sure you really understand introverts. I was in hospital recently and left early because they could only offer 2-bed rooms for additional treatment, which felt like torture to me. No, no everyone is desperate to chat with others.
hughguiney 11y ago
This, more than anything else I have read on the subject (plenty), is the most compelling reason I can see for having a cofounder. However, solo founders are not necessarily “alone”. Support networks exist outside of business partnerships: friends, colleagues, spouses, mastermind groups, etc. can all help alleviate loneliness.

by eldude 11y ago

SneakerXZ 11y ago

This also heavily depends on your personality. My guess would be the survivalist were extroverts and it was also the main reason why they went into this show. But most programmers are introverts and lone wolfs and they don't necessarily need others to share their experience with.

dopeboy 11y ago
I respectfully disagree. Being introverted != no need to share their experiences. Every human craves to share their experience with someone and be validated (see social media). Some do it more than others and through other means. Also, at some point that lone wolf programmer is going to need to stop building and start selling. Overcoming 100 compiler errors is much easier and faster than getting 100 nos and 1 yes. Try going through a brutal sales cycle like that and tell me whether that introvert would last without someone to ride the roller coaster with.
- lazyjones 11y ago
  > Also, at some point that lone wolf programmer is going to need to stop building and start selling Selling doesn't require a co-founder, just sales people. > Try going through a brutal sales cycle like that and tell me whether that introvert would last without someone to ride the roller coaster with. I did for 15 years (till a comfortable exit recently). I'm not sure you really understand introverts. I was in hospital recently and left early because they could only offer 2-bed rooms for additional treatment, which felt like torture to me. No, no everyone is desperate to chat with others.

hughguiney 11y ago

This, more than anything else I have read on the subject (plenty), is the most compelling reason I can see for having a cofounder. However, solo founders are not necessarily “alone”. Support networks exist outside of business partnerships: friends, colleagues, spouses, mastermind groups, etc. can all help alleviate loneliness.