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The differentiation between inventor and entrepreneur is helpful for me. It's not about technology, but usefulness. Not one brilliant perfect insight, but iteration. Not money, but creation. most entrepreneurs iterate on preexisting ideas to the point that the inventions represent marketable value propositions upon which sustainable companies can be created. ...obsession is the father of innovation. Innovations are often sussed out by entrepreneurs who cannot let go of an idea ... compelled to succeed by creating something from nothing, not by the lust for money, power or fame. He didn't say this, but the thing about "marketable value propositions" is they are about problems or needs. It's frightfully easy to invent a "solution" without a problem. Joel said "Where there's MUCK, there's brass". He meant unpleasant work is rewarded. But I interpret it as: for a solution to really make a difference to people, it has to be a solution to a problem/need they have. The worse the problem (i.e. the more ugly, confusing, complex, frustrating, painful, horrible and MUCKY it is), the more worthwhile the solution. No problem means no solution - by (my) definition. A "solution" without a problem isn't worth anything. Therefore, MUCK is a pre-condition of a worthwhile solution: where's there's muck, there's brass. Arguably, inventors (of products) create solutions; entrepreneurs (marketers of products) connect solutions to problems. Most powerful when combined e.g. Wozniak + Jobs, or unified in one person: Edison. |