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Did he come up with "paid, laid, or made"? I've heard it from sales people and thought it predated McClure. The kitten and "money shot" is absolutely unnecessa

Did he come up with "paid, laid, or made"? I've heard it from sales people and thought it predated McClure. The kitten and "money shot" is absolutely unnecessary, but I get the coarse language for "paid, made, laid"- the idea is that compelling products and services target base desires.

anindha 9y ago
I think the most compelling products deliver utility. Even if targeting base desires is your product design strategy doesn't mean it needs to be in a template for future founders to follow. Your argument is similar to the argument for having swimsuit models in tabloid newspapers. NYT is a better product.
- mhluongo 9y ago
  I'm not claiming he's right. I'm just responding that it's a useful idea, and that the language makes sense to reinforce the idea. Edit: aside, it's interesting (and frustrating) that comments on HN are often assumed to be arguments. Here for a discussion, not to defend a thesis.
- TeMPOraL 9y ago
  > I think the most compelling products deliver utility. > Your argument is similar to the argument for having swimsuit models in tabloid newspapers. NYT is a better product. The argument is right, because better (as in NYT vs. tabloids, or as in better in worse-is-better) products don't win on market. If you can target base desires, you'll beat products delivering utility.
- coldtea 9y ago
  >Your argument is similar to the argument for having swimsuit models in tabloid newspapers. NYT is a better product. Not if "sells more" is a measure of product betterness. (Besides swimsuit models never harmed anybody -- the NYT helped sell war with huge human toll with BS government-fed info).
- Alex3917 9y ago
  > Even if targeting base desires is your product design strategy doesn't mean it needs to be in a template for future founders to follow. Call me old school, but I still think that JWZ post "Groupware Bad" is one of the most important in the history of blogging.

anindha 9y ago

I think the most compelling products deliver utility. Even if targeting base desires is your product design strategy doesn't mean it needs to be in a template for future founders to follow. Your argument is similar to the argument for having swimsuit models in tabloid newspapers. NYT is a better product.

mhluongo 9y ago
I'm not claiming he's right. I'm just responding that it's a useful idea, and that the language makes sense to reinforce the idea. Edit: aside, it's interesting (and frustrating) that comments on HN are often assumed to be arguments. Here for a discussion, not to defend a thesis.
TeMPOraL 9y ago
> I think the most compelling products deliver utility. > Your argument is similar to the argument for having swimsuit models in tabloid newspapers. NYT is a better product. The argument is right, because better (as in NYT vs. tabloids, or as in better in worse-is-better) products don't win on market. If you can target base desires, you'll beat products delivering utility.
coldtea 9y ago
>Your argument is similar to the argument for having swimsuit models in tabloid newspapers. NYT is a better product. Not if "sells more" is a measure of product betterness. (Besides swimsuit models never harmed anybody -- the NYT helped sell war with huge human toll with BS government-fed info).
Alex3917 9y ago
> Even if targeting base desires is your product design strategy doesn't mean it needs to be in a template for future founders to follow. Call me old school, but I still think that JWZ post "Groupware Bad" is one of the most important in the history of blogging.