[mgkimsal]

Changing the world? Probably not. Changing the worlds and lives of specific people? Probably yes, and that's OK, but I do understand the perspective that's being called for.

I'd met with someone last year and built a quick prototype for his idea. Was thinking of doing an actual partnership with him - I'd initially been impressed with his hustle (which turned out not to be as great as I'd initially thought). I'd indicated that I liked the idea, but it was also essentially a feature than foursquare or yelp could add in an afternoon - I'd prototyped the thing in a couple days - what was needed was sales execution on the street to make it happen. With that in mind, I'd asked him what he'd do if, for example, yelp offered a small buyout (say, $2m).

"Oh no, I wouldn't sell - this will change the world - this will replace Facebook in the next 5 years - I wouldn't sell for $50m".

With that, we parted ways. Even if his idea is right - and honestly, I think it will likely come to pass - he/we aren't in a position to take down Facebook, and a small cashout deal would put him in a much better situation to tackle his other ideas. The idea will happen, I'm pretty sure, but not in the way he sees it happening.

[jpadkins]

I disagree to a bit. You need people who really believe that they are going to take down myspace (or friendster...) even if they are irrational. Was there any serious, rational reason why any engineer would believe facebook would grow like it did when it was first started? I think you need to suspend disbelief if you are going to be part of something game-changing (although I have never been a part of it, so I could be wrong).