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Ask HN: If ideas are overrated...

9 points by unohoo 17y ago

Why do we still see people not openly discussing their startup idea ? Why all the 'stealth mode' & secrecy ?

ram1024 17y ago
because there's always the chance that someone can execute it better than you? who would be so bold as to assume they're the best at developing a product. or that someone could take your idea and run with it and just get luckier than you.
tdoggette 17y ago
It's just other peoples' ideas that are overrated. Mine is pure gold.
jeffspost 17y ago
Yeah, I think a lot of it are delusions of grandeur and fear that people will mock the ideas. Note--stackoverflow.com was very open all along, very successful, and as far as I know virtually no competition.
pg 17y ago
Partly paranoia, and partly because overrated doesn't mean worthless. I occasionally advise startups we've funded to keep some part of their plans secret. (You never want to keep everything secret, or it just advertises you're keeping a secret.)
- unohoo 17y ago
  Fortunately, YC folks have you to advise them. I often find myself in the predicament where I need to discuss an idea/ get some feedback / advice from someone who's familiar with the startup scene. Friends - family are too out of touch with tech startup world to provide any relevant,useful input. I'd say YC should start like a monthly session (paid) where a limited set of entrepreneurs can get advice/input? Maybe far stretched considering your time constraints, but just thinking out loud.
  - deleted 17y ago
    [deleted]
alain94040 17y ago
Very simple: everyone thinks their idea is the best thing since sliced bread. So they won't tell anyone, by fear of being copied. I have a scoop for you: people couldn't care less about copying your idea. However, once you are successful, everyone will want to copy you.
fizx 17y ago
I like the concept of ideas and execution being multipliers, put forth by 37signals (and surely others). http://gettingreal.37signals.com/ch06_Done.php http://gettingreal.37signals.com/ch06_Done.php Of course, the reality is non-linear, and the exact shape of the idea/execution/expected-profit manifold is quite up for debate.
johnrob 17y ago
Guy Kawasaki said it best: Nobody wants your crappy idea, everyone is already working on their own crappy idea.

9 points by unohoo 17y ago

Why do we still see people not openly discussing their startup idea ? Why all the 'stealth mode' & secrecy ?

because there's always the chance that someone can execute it better than you? who would be so bold as to assume they're the best at developing a product. or that someone could take your idea and run with it and just get luckier than you.

tdoggette 17y ago

It's just other peoples' ideas that are overrated. Mine is pure gold.

jeffspost 17y ago

Yeah, I think a lot of it are delusions of grandeur and fear that people will mock the ideas. Note--stackoverflow.com was very open all along, very successful, and as far as I know virtually no competition.

pg 17y ago

Partly paranoia, and partly because overrated doesn't mean worthless. I occasionally advise startups we've funded to keep some part of their plans secret. (You never want to keep everything secret, or it just advertises you're keeping a secret.)

unohoo 17y ago
Fortunately, YC folks have you to advise them. I often find myself in the predicament where I need to discuss an idea/ get some feedback / advice from someone who's familiar with the startup scene. Friends - family are too out of touch with tech startup world to provide any relevant,useful input. I'd say YC should start like a monthly session (paid) where a limited set of entrepreneurs can get advice/input? Maybe far stretched considering your time constraints, but just thinking out loud.
- deleted 17y ago
  [deleted]

alain94040 17y ago

Very simple: everyone thinks their idea is the best thing since sliced bread. So they won't tell anyone, by fear of being copied. I have a scoop for you: people couldn't care less about copying your idea. However, once you are successful, everyone will want to copy you.

fizx 17y ago

I like the concept of ideas and execution being multipliers, put forth by 37signals (and surely others). http://gettingreal.37signals.com/ch06_Done.php http://gettingreal.37signals.com/ch06_Done.php Of course, the reality is non-linear, and the exact shape of the idea/execution/expected-profit manifold is quite up for debate.

johnrob 17y ago

Guy Kawasaki said it best: Nobody wants your crappy idea, everyone is already working on their own crappy idea.