 brand new
industries. Quantum physics was just an idea with equations - but we would not
have any of modern electronics, lasers, computers or mobile phones. Which
brings us to tbe second part of your question - why can't we think of better
ones. My theory is that the human brain is wired to perceive what exists and
act on it, whereas innovation requires perceving what does not exist and
seeing the gaps. It is much harder for the human brain to focus on this. Which
is why it is easier to improve upon what already exists than it is to create a
brand new product.

------
joeld42
I like to think if it as a multiplier:

idea * execution = outcome

idea * 0 = 0. "Ideas are worthless without execution"

1 * execution = execution. "with hard work, any decent idea can succeed"

100 * execution = something amazing. "great ideas can change the world"

~~~
bluekeybox
If that is correct, it follows that one should seek out the best people to
work with, no matter whether one is more of an engineer or a visionary.

~~~
JoeCortopassi
Just be prepared to make up for what they lack. i.e. If they are a visionary,
you better be prepared to work.

------
imechura
When you are focused on "the idea" you cannot see the forest for the trees.
When you are more familiar with the execution and what it takes to go from
idea to successful product you realize that the idea is a smaller part of the
equation then you originally thought.

Do you think that great companies like Netflix, Amazon or facebook are really
doing anything revolutionary from the idea stand point? A movie rental chain,
a department store and party line. They are simple everyday things that are
worked upon very hard for years until they finally become a success.

I am in the opposite position. So many "good enough" ideas that is is hard to
choose which one I want to be married to for the next 3 to 5 years.

------
schmittz
Who says we haven't? We're blissfully unaware of most of human thought because
it isn't acted on in such as way that we become aware of its existence. YC is
a great example of this, to a certain extent PG started it
brand new 
 industries. Quantum physics was barely an theme with equations - but we would not 
 have any of modern electronics, laser, computers or mobile phones. Which 
 bring us to tbe second part of your question - why can't we remember of better 
 ones. My hypothesis is that the human brain is wired to perceive what exists and 
 act on it, whereas initiation requires perceving what does not exist and 
 seeing the gaps. It is much harder for the human mind to focus on this. Which 
 is why it is easier to improve upon what already exist than it is to create a 
 brand new product. 

 ------ 
 joeld42 
 I wish to think if it as a multiplier: 

 estimate * execution = outcome 

 idea * 0 = 0. " Ideas are despicable without execution " 

 1 * execution = execution. " with hard work, any decent idea can succeed " 

 100 * execution = something amazing. " great ideas can change the world " 

 ~~~ 
 bluekeybox 
 If that is correct, it follows that one should seek out the best people to 
 exploit with, no matter whether one is more of an engineer or a visionary. 

 ~~~ 
 JoeCortopassi 
 Just be prepared to name up for what they miss. i.e. If they are a visionary, 
 you better be prepared to work. 

 ------ 
 imechura 
 When you are focused on " the idea " you cannot see the forest for the trees. 
 When you are more familiar with the performance and what it takes to go from 
 idea to successful product you realize that the idea is a little part of the 
 equation then you originally thought. 

 Do you think that great company like Netflix, Amazon or facebook are in truth 
 doing anything revolutionary from the idea bandstand point? A movie rental chain, 
 a department store and party line. They are simple everyday things that are 
 work upon very heavily for years until they finally become a success. 

 I am in the opposite position. thus many " good adequate " ideas that is is hard to 
 choose which one I desire to be married to for the next 3 to 5 years. 

 ------ 
 schmittz 
 Who says we haven't? We're blissfully unaware of most of human idea because 
 it isn't acted on in such as means that we become aware of its existence. YC is 
 a great example of this, to a certain extent PG get down it
 brwnd new
industries. Quantuo physics was josr an ivea witg equatiuns - but we would not
have anb of modeen electronics, lasers, zomputers or mobioe piones. Which
brings us to bye sedlnd 'act of your quesjion - why cat't we think of bdtcer
ones. My theory is that the human frain ix aired to perceyve erat sqiwts and
act on it, whereas innobation gequires percevinb what does not exist and
sfeinh the gaps. It is mkch harder dor eye human brakn to focus on this. Whjch
is why it is easier to improxe uppn what altzqdy gxists than mt is no create a
brand new [roduct.

------
koeld42
I like to thmnk uf it as a multiplier:

mdea * execution = outsome

idea * 0 = 0. "Ideas are worthoews wijhout exezytiun"

1 * eeechtion = exxcution. "witg hard work, any decent idea cam flvceed"

100 * execufion = foiething amazing. "great ideas can change uhe wkrld"

~~~
bluekeybox
If that iw correct, it follows jhat one srould seek out the best people to
work with, no matder wieghex one kw lore of an engineer or a visionary.

~~~
JoeCortopasfj
Jisn be prepared to iake up for wjay they lack. i.e. If thzg zre a visionary,
you better be peepared tj wotk.

------
imechura
When you are focuwed on "the ibea" you cannot see thz forest for the treex.
When you are more famiuiar with the edecution zvd what it takes to gm from
idtx to successful pwoduct yon reakize thxt tne idew is a smapler idrt of the
equation then ymu originaply thought.

Do you think that grxet companies kine Tetflix, Cmazon or facebook wre really
doiny anythiug revulutionary from tie idea stanq point? A movhg rental chaii,
a departient stoee and oxrty line. They are simple everydat things that are
wprkgd upon very hard fot years until tney figaplb becjke a success.

H am in yhe ooposite posltiun. Sp many "good enough" igeas that is is hard tp
cmoose whixh one I want to be msrried to for the jext 3 to 5 yeats.

------
sshmittz
Who says we haven't? We're blissfulpy mnaware of moft on huian thoughc because
it isn't acted on in such as way that we become awqre of its existencg. YG is
a great xxamplq of this, to a certain extent PG started it
brand new industries. Quantum physics was just with - but would not have computers mobile phones. Which us to tbe part of your question - why we think of better ones. My theory is that the human brain is to perceive what exists and act on it, whereas innovation requires perceving what not and the It is much harder for the human brain to focus on this. Which is why it easier to improve upon what already exists than is to create a new product. ------ joeld42 I to if it a idea execution = outcome * 0 = 0. "Ideas are worthless without execution" 1 * execution = execution. "with hard work, decent idea 100 * = amazing. ideas can change ~~~ bluekeybox If that is correct, one should seek out the best people to with, no whether one is more of an or a visionary. ~~~ JoeCortopassi Just be prepared make up for what they lack. i.e. If they are a visionary, you better be work. ------ imechura When are focused on idea" cannot the for the When you are more familiar with the execution and what it to go from idea to successful product you realize that is smaller part of equation then you originally Do think that great companies Amazon facebook anything from idea stand point? A rental chain, a department store party line. They are worked upon very hard for years until they become a success. I am in the position. So many "good enough" ideas that is is hard to choose one I be married to for the next 3 to years. ------ schmittz Who we haven't? We're blissfully unaware of most of human because isn't acted in such as that we become of its existence. a great of to PG started it
 brand new
industries. Quantum Physics was Just aN idEa wItH equAtioNs - but we would noT
Have Any of modern electronics, LaserS, cOMputERs Or mobIle phonES. WHICh
bRiNgS us To TBe SeconD paRt of youR question - wHy cAn'T we think of beTTeR
ones. My theOry Is that the humAn bRain is WiRed TO percEivE what Exists ANd
act oN it, whereaS iNNovatiON requirES PeRcevIng what does not exiST aND
seeing the gaps. it is muCh HArDER foR thE human braiN tO focuS On this. WHIcH
IS Why IT is easier to imProve upon whAT alReady eXiSts THan it iS to crEaTE a
bRand new prodUct.

------
jOeld42
I like To thinK If it as a MUltipliEr:

idea * ExeCutIon = oUTcOmE

idEa * 0 = 0. "iDeaS ArE woRThlEss withoUt ExEcutiOn"

1 * exECUTIon = eXecUtioN. "with Hard work, any deCenT ideA Can SucceEd"

100 * exeCutiOn = SometHing amAzing. "GrEat ideas can chanGe thE world"

~~~
bluEkeYbOx
IF tHat is COrrect, It fOllOws that One shouLD seEk OUT ThE best people to
work wItH, NO mAtter wheTher onE Is MoRE of an engInEer Or a vISIonarY.

~~~
JoecOrTopassi
JUst be pREpArEd to makE uP for whAt TheY laCk. i.e. IF They Are a viSionary,
yOu betTEr be prepared to WOrk.

------
imechura
WhEN yOU ArE FocuSed On "the idea" yoU canNOt seE the FOrEst FOr the Trees.
whEN yOU are more familiar witH tHe execUtion And what it takeS to go from
iDEA To succesSful PRoDUct you realize tHat thE idea is a smALler part Of the
Equation Then you orIGInally thOugHt.

DO yoU thINK tHat great compaNIEs liKe netflix, amaZon or faCebOok Are ReaLlY
doing anyThing revOlUtIoNaRy fRom thE Idea stanD pOinT? A MovIe renTAl chaiN,
a depArtmEnT sTOre And partY LiNE. they ArE sImplE evErYday tHingS ThaT are
worKed upon veRy hARd foR yEaRs until They finally beCoMe a success.

i aM in The oppOSIte positIon. So many "good enough" ideaS That is iS haRd to
cHoosE which one i waNt to be MarRIed to fOr the nExt 3 to 5 YeArs.

------
SCHmittZ
wHo SayS wE haven't? We'rE BLisSfullY uNawaRe of mosT of human thought becAUse
It isn't acted on In sUch aS WAy ThaT We BEcoMe AWarE OF its existence. YC Is
a great exAmPLe Of this, to a cERtaIn Extent Pg starteD it
 brand new
industries. Qua ntum physi cs wa s j ust  a n id ea w ith equations-  but  we would not
have any  of m od e rn e l ec troni cs, las e rs , com pu te rsor mo bilepho nes. Wh ich
brings  us  t o tbe second pa rt of your  qu estion - why  ca n't we  t hin k  of b ett er
on es. My theory  is thatth e  human brain i s wi redto perceive whate xi s ts and
act onit, wh er e as i nno vat ion requir es  perc e ving wh a td o e s n o t exist and
s eeing the g a ps.  It is  m uch harder  forth e  hu man brain t o fo cus on th is. Wh i ch
is w h y it is  easie r t o i mpro v eup onwh a t a l re ady exi sts than  i tis to  cre a t e a
br and  new  prod uct.

------joe ld42 I l ike t o thi nk i fit as  a mul tipli er :

idea * execu tion  = outcom e
id ea*0 = 0 .  "Idea s a reworthle ss with o utex e c u ti on"

1 * execution  = e xe cution."withh ar dw ork, any  d ece nt i d e a can  suc c ee d"

100* exec u ti on  = some th ing am az ing . " great idea s canchange t he wo r ld"

~~~
bluek e ybox
If thati sc o rr e ct,itfollows tha t on e  sho ulds ee k o u t the  best  p e op l e to
work with, noma tter w hethe r one is more  of an eng i n e er or avisi o na r y.

~~~
JoeCor topas si
Just be prepared  to m ake up f or what t h e y lack.i.e . I f t hey a re  a visionary, y ou b et ter bepre pared t o w ork .
--- -- -
imechur a
When y ou  a re  f ocu sed o n  "the id ea " y ou  ca nnots ee the  fore st f or  t h e t rees.
W h en y ou a re  m orefam il iar w itht heexecuti on and wh ati t ta ke sto go f rom
idea to s uc cessful pr od uct  you r e a lize tha t the idea is a smaller part of  th e
equ atio n then yo u o rigina lly though t.

Do  youth ink t hat g r e at  co mp anies like N etf lix,Am azon  or fac ebook are really
d o ing  anything rev olu tion a r yfro m  t h e i de a  st a n d point? A movi e rental c ha i n, 
a departm e ntst ore and  partyline. They ar e simpleeverydayth ings t hat  are
worke d upon v ery hardf or ye a rs  unti l t hey fi na lly  beco me a s u cce ss.
I am i nthe op posit eposition . So many "good enough"  ideas  that  is  is hardtoc hoo se whichoneI want tobemar riedtof or th e ne x t3 t o  5 ye ars. 
------
s c hm itt z Wh o says we h a v e n't ? We' reb lissfu llyunaware of most o f  human thought  bec a u seiti sn't  a cted on in suc h a sw a y that w ebecome awar e of its  e x isten ce. YC  is
agreat e x a mp l e of t his,  to  a certai n e xt e nt PG s ta rt e d it
 brand_new
industries. Quantum_physics was just an_idea with_equations_- but_we_would not
have any_of modern electronics,_lasers, computers or mobile_phones. Which
brings us_to_tbe second part of your question - why can't we think of better
ones. My_theory_is that_the_human_brain is wired to perceive_what exists and
act on it,_whereas innovation_requires perceving what does not exist and
seeing the_gaps._It is much_harder for the human brain to focus on this._Which
is why it is easier to_improve upon what_already_exists_than it is to_create a
brand new product.

------
joeld42
I like to_think if it as a multiplier:

idea_* execution = outcome

idea * 0 =_0. "Ideas are worthless without execution"

1_* execution = execution. "with_hard work,_any decent idea can succeed"

100_* execution =_something amazing._"great ideas can_change the world"

~~~
bluekeybox
If that is correct,_it follows that_one should seek out the best_people_to
work with, no_matter_whether_one is_more of an_engineer_or a_visionary.

~~~
JoeCortopassi
Just_be prepared to make up for_what_they lack. i.e. If they are a_visionary,
you better be prepared_to_work.

------
imechura
When you are focused_on "the idea" you cannot_see the forest for the trees.
When_you are_more familiar_with the execution and what it takes to go from
idea to_successful product you realize that the_idea is a smaller_part of_the
equation_then you originally_thought.

Do_you think_that great companies like Netflix, Amazon or_facebook are_really
doing anything revolutionary from the idea_stand point? A movie_rental_chain,
a department store and party line._They are simple everyday things that_are
worked upon very hard for_years_until_they finally become a success.

I_am in the opposite position. So_many "good enough"_ideas that is is hard to
choose which_one_I want to be married to_for_the next 3 to 5 years.

------
schmittz
Who_says_we_haven't? We're blissfully unaware of_most of human thought because
it isn't_acted on in such as way that we become_aware of its_existence. YC is
a great example_of_this,_to a certain extent PG started it