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AirBnB in my opinion is no longer a "Twitter Startup." Maybe at first, but now they've proven people will sacrifice some level of comfort to save money, which i

AirBnB in my opinion is no longer a "Twitter Startup." Maybe at first, but now they've proven people will sacrifice some level of comfort to save money, which in my opinion took a lot of gumption. This now proven disruptive model (sacrificing some comfort/certainty/social norms to save money) I think is only beginning.

mechanical_fish 15y ago
I think this article isn't describing startups so much as startup ideas, and/or very early startups that have yet to demonstrate the elusive product/market fit. Once you've proven that your Hoverboard works, and that it really is a Hoverboard ("an idea that, if it works, will practically sell itself") then it isn't really a Hoverboard anymore. And once your Twitter concept has users and a viable business model it isn't a Twitter anymore. Ironically, AirBNB is no longer a Twitter startup, but Twitter arguably still is. ;)
- bennyfreshness 15y ago
  Good point, although I'd argue Twitter has shown its product/market fit (political strife/breaking news/Bieber).. Also, I agree, my comment is off topic, but I'm a bit tired of poor little AirBnB (now valued at $1 billion) not getting credit for sticking their noses in and bravely creating a new market.. PG might agree w/ me http://www.paulgraham.com/airbnb.html http://www.paulgraham.com/airbnb.html
Aloisius 15y ago
Sacrifice some level of comfort? Huh. I use AirBnB to book places that cost about the same amount as a hotel, but are significantly nicer.
ramanujan 15y ago
AirBnB is great if you have time, but there is something to be said for the zipless convenience of just booking a room with a hotel. It is a genuine pain to go back and forth with a few different people to get a room. Unless they have some sort of solid state, instant/confirmed booking option, it's better for casual travelers and sublets than business travelers. (May all be obvious, just my $.02)

mechanical_fish 15y ago

I think this article isn't describing startups so much as startup ideas, and/or very early startups that have yet to demonstrate the elusive product/market fit. Once you've proven that your Hoverboard works, and that it really is a Hoverboard ("an idea that, if it works, will practically sell itself") then it isn't really a Hoverboard anymore. And once your Twitter concept has users and a viable business model it isn't a Twitter anymore. Ironically, AirBNB is no longer a Twitter startup, but Twitter arguably still is. ;)

bennyfreshness 15y ago
Good point, although I'd argue Twitter has shown its product/market fit (political strife/breaking news/Bieber).. Also, I agree, my comment is off topic, but I'm a bit tired of poor little AirBnB (now valued at $1 billion) not getting credit for sticking their noses in and bravely creating a new market.. PG might agree w/ me http://www.paulgraham.com/airbnb.html http://www.paulgraham.com/airbnb.html

Aloisius 15y ago

Sacrifice some level of comfort? Huh. I use AirBnB to book places that cost about the same amount as a hotel, but are significantly nicer.

ramanujan 15y ago

AirBnB is great if you have time, but there is something to be said for the zipless convenience of just booking a room with a hotel. It is a genuine pain to go back and forth with a few different people to get a room. Unless they have some sort of solid state, instant/confirmed booking option, it's better for casual travelers and sublets than business travelers. (May all be obvious, just my $.02)