3 ms·

You're both insane... No one would have argued that Myspace was as easy to replace as simply "code and servers". Just like no one is going to argue that Faceboo

You're both insane... No one would have argued that Myspace was as easy to replace as simply "code and servers". Just like no one is going to argue that Facebook can be replaced with just code and servers. What delusion do you tell yourself to discount everyone else that talks about the importance of network effects? They're the crazy ones? Sorry, just blows my mind how people think in such black and white terms. Just because one thing is easier to displace doesn't mean it's immediately a "commodity" that can be replaced by the equivalent code and servers farms. Might be great dev-think but definitely gets you nowhere fast when trying to actually build a successful business.

kamaal 13y ago
Both AirBnb and Holiday Inn are difficult to replace. But Holiday Inn is definitely far more difficult to replace than AirBnb. If you try today, you may be able to replace AirBnb, but it may take you 1000x the effort to replace Holiday Inn. For one simple fact, Holiday Inn is a physical entity providing service to people with massive brand in a industry which is capital intensive and requires endless customer focus. The easiest example is Elon musk trying to make a car company Vs building Pay Pal. Difference is so enormous, though both are difficult, they are yet no way comparable.
wepple 13y ago
I think you missed my point - I never mentioned code or servers - I never argued that the likes of AirBnB as a business were just a collection of CPU cycles. I was illustrating that building a primarily online-based business (including code, servers, network, marketplace, branding, awareness, good people, etc) is faster and simpler than a classic business like a hotel chain (which requires all of the above, plus significant investments into geographically disperse physical structures. I'm absolutely not saying it's "easy", I'm just reflecting on the market valuation of an organization that (in my opinion) is more at risk of competition than a classic business.

kamaal 13y ago

Both AirBnb and Holiday Inn are difficult to replace. But Holiday Inn is definitely far more difficult to replace than AirBnb. If you try today, you may be able to replace AirBnb, but it may take you 1000x the effort to replace Holiday Inn. For one simple fact, Holiday Inn is a physical entity providing service to people with massive brand in a industry which is capital intensive and requires endless customer focus. The easiest example is Elon musk trying to make a car company Vs building Pay Pal. Difference is so enormous, though both are difficult, they are yet no way comparable.

wepple 13y ago

I think you missed my point - I never mentioned code or servers - I never argued that the likes of AirBnB as a business were just a collection of CPU cycles. I was illustrating that building a primarily online-based business (including code, servers, network, marketplace, branding, awareness, good people, etc) is faster and simpler than a classic business like a hotel chain (which requires all of the above, plus significant investments into geographically disperse physical structures. I'm absolutely not saying it's "easy", I'm just reflecting on the market valuation of an organization that (in my opinion) is more at risk of competition than a classic business.