Two counterpoints 1) It is better to avoid problems then hit them / solve them. Understanding where other people have failed is very valuable. Of course there

Two counterpoints 1) It is better to avoid problems then hit them / solve them. Understanding where other people have failed is very valuable. Of course there is diminishing returns to this type of information and of course you are not going to avoid every potential problem. The point is to avoid the common pitfalls that many new enterprises tend to make. If your MO is run fast into next problem -> solve problem -> run fast into next problem, your startup is probably going to fail. 2) Sometimes you haven't even framed the problem yet. Maybe you are still exploring the idea space, trying to figure out what is valuable or not. Getting broad exposure to other ideas and technologies may help you crystalize what your venture is going to focus on. And of course there is diminishing returns here too, usual analysis paralysis warnings, etc. But a little bit of exposure every day to subjects you are not familiar with may just spark that creative bolt.