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Of course it's an important question, but it's rarely the first question. The first question is usually about why the idea is good in the first place. The next

Of course it's an important question, but it's rarely the first question. The first question is usually about why the idea is good in the first place. The next line of questioning is about the market opportunity. If you make it through those two lines of questioning, than they figure out if the team is the right team for this project. I was only pointing out that the idea itself seems to resonate enough with the voters on HN that they don't question the validity of the idea, only the ability of the team to deliver.

spotman 11y ago
Everyone wants a faster, lighter, more energy efficient, and reliable car, am I right? That's why this comes up. It simply not as much of a question of is the idea great, it's we have been here before (and if not exactly this idea, there is a lot of overlap with other new databases), and it's quite hard to pull off. Not everyone can be the tesla of databases, and there is a plethora of new options in the space. So answering this question seems to weigh a bit heavy in the discussion for good reason.
- david927 11y ago
  But Elon Musk doesn't have 20 years of experience at Ford. Sometimes, when you are doing something new, it comes from left field. Brodlist stems from several years of private research with two PhD students (check kayia.org for more details) that was lucky enough to wind up being able to be the Tesla of databases. Most of this is implemented (what's left is mechanical) and I'm happy to do a TDD with HN. I definitely understand your concern and I'm saying I don't know if we qualified to do this job but I can assure you that we qualified by doing this job.
  - spotman 11y ago
    Sure, but Elon Musk is one person. Tesla is a team. Tesla has hired the brightest minds in the business, _plenty_ coming from years and years and years of deep experience building cars, supply chains, and more. You can believe that he didn't get funding without having the team in place to build his company, even if he is the fire starter.
    - david927 11y ago
      Someone might read that and think you're directly arguing that companies shouldn't get funded if they start in a garage. :) I should have never thought I could try to do something so disruptive and during the long process till now there were many times I wished I could have killed the muse that started it all. It was the hardest thing I've ever done and yet, still, looking back, I don't regret a thing. I think if you could look at what it took to bring it to this point, you would never doubt if it has what it will take to go the rest of the way. But it's still early -- I know. A YC Fellowship is for prototype stage companies and that kind of funding isn't for everyone -- I get that. And I get your concern for exactly what it is: concern. It's valid, really, and I appreciate it. But if I could have done the smart thing and walk away, I would have done it a long time ago.

spotman 11y ago

Everyone wants a faster, lighter, more energy efficient, and reliable car, am I right? That's why this comes up. It simply not as much of a question of is the idea great, it's we have been here before (and if not exactly this idea, there is a lot of overlap with other new databases), and it's quite hard to pull off. Not everyone can be the tesla of databases, and there is a plethora of new options in the space. So answering this question seems to weigh a bit heavy in the discussion for good reason.

david927 11y ago
But Elon Musk doesn't have 20 years of experience at Ford. Sometimes, when you are doing something new, it comes from left field. Brodlist stems from several years of private research with two PhD students (check kayia.org for more details) that was lucky enough to wind up being able to be the Tesla of databases. Most of this is implemented (what's left is mechanical) and I'm happy to do a TDD with HN. I definitely understand your concern and I'm saying I don't know if we qualified to do this job but I can assure you that we qualified by doing this job.
- spotman 11y ago
  Sure, but Elon Musk is one person. Tesla is a team. Tesla has hired the brightest minds in the business, _plenty_ coming from years and years and years of deep experience building cars, supply chains, and more. You can believe that he didn't get funding without having the team in place to build his company, even if he is the fire starter.
  - david927 11y ago
    Someone might read that and think you're directly arguing that companies shouldn't get funded if they start in a garage. :) I should have never thought I could try to do something so disruptive and during the long process till now there were many times I wished I could have killed the muse that started it all. It was the hardest thing I've ever done and yet, still, looking back, I don't regret a thing. I think if you could look at what it took to bring it to this point, you would never doubt if it has what it will take to go the rest of the way. But it's still early -- I know. A YC Fellowship is for prototype stage companies and that kind of funding isn't for everyone -- I get that. And I get your concern for exactly what it is: concern. It's valid, really, and I appreciate it. But if I could have done the smart thing and walk away, I would have done it a long time ago.