3 ms·

Meaning "Ideas are worthless" is a (semi) polite way of saying "You are worthless".

• npsimons 13y ago
  Maybe a more tactful (and effective) response: "if your idea is so good, why aren't you implementing it?"
  • alexqgb 13y ago
    The obvious answer is "Because I can't." Unfortunately, this admission of incompetence carries a nasty subtext which is "because the task in question is beneath me." That's why you hear people saying "It's 'just' a matter of execution", which simultaneously elevates the person with the idea while diminishing the person bringing it to life (which frequently requires fairly major departures from the initial concept). God I hate that word, "just". 9 out of 10 times the person using it is an irredeemable asshole.
    • npsimons 13y ago
      Unfortunately, this admission of incompetence carries a nasty subtext which is "because the task in question is beneath me." Funny how their idea is so valuable and would make so much money if implemented, but it's still "beneath" them. If it ain't worth them "lowering themselves to that level", it ain't worth my time to consider implementing it, much less signing something like an NDA or agreement where I do most of the work and they keep most of the profits.