[rhizome]

The problem with this logic is that "energy, excitement and confidence" don't have anything to do with the merits of an idea. An idea can be good without any exhibitions of personality. The tree still falls, after all.

However, if expressions about an idea do relate to the quality of that idea, each taken in isolation, what does that say about the concept of meritocracy? That perhaps meritocracy applies only to people and not ideas, and that "meritocracy" in this context has a much narrower definition than a plain reading of the word would suggest.

[chrischen]

The merit of execution is equally important, if not more, and execution will require taking risks, and risk will require confidence.

[rhizome]

Sure, but neither are the expressions described components of execution.

[chrischen]

Not all startups are purely technical execution.

[rhizome]

What do you mean?

[chrischen]

I mean confidence can be a part of execution... for example, when you are trying to sell a product. Ingenuity, perseverance, etc, are also attributes of execution and they are not strictly technical.

In other words, if you just have technology (and we're assuming not groundbreaking patentable-technology), you'll likely fail if you have no perseverance and no ability to convince people why it's useful.

[gailees]

It's not about the idea though.