Comments on: The value of ideas

By: mike

mike — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 11:42:41 +0000

Yes, be careful who you share them with, but you *must* share them. By sharing/talking you gain clarity and alternative viewpoints.
The other thing is, how much is your audience’s time worth, eh

Ideas are in your head and it is only once they start to become something (you find collaborators who can help to start on the *execution* which as Justin points out is the important thing) that they are interesting. At this point, you have both first mover advantage and the original concept (others are copying your execution, and *NOT’ the idea!)

Also, if you are that worried, get them to sign a FriendDA (http://www.friendda.org/). Long explantion here – http://www.randsinrepose.com/archives/2008/10/19/friendda.html

By: CT Moore

CT Moore — Fri, 22 May 2009 14:50:14 +0000

I like Carl’s advice. The last line (a proverb I believe?) reminds me of the 4th Law of Power.

By: La Chat Noir

La Chat Noir — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:47:00 +0000

I understand the reluctance to reveal all, but you do have to wonder what is the point of an idea if it only exists in your mind and is never expressed? Appreciate having one’s plans stolen is a risk but then by keeping quiet you risk nothing ever happening. Maybe….

By: Ilicco

Ilicco — Wed, 20 May 2009 09:11:42 +0000

James – in thoery i agree, as long as you tell ME everything

By: Heidi

Heidi — Mon, 18 May 2009 18:55:40 +0000

I used to share too much information/ideas…
Sometimes I feel guilty for not sharing but… I mean, they are mine!!!

By: Justin

Justin — Mon, 18 May 2009 12:45:22 +0000

No no no! Ideas want to be free! Ideas are one thing, actually doing something with them is another.

If you’re squatting on an idea then you’re wasting it, and you’re forgetting the 100 other people all with the same idea (name the great idea that nobody else ever thought about) one of whom will be actually doing something with it. The way you’ll turn your idea into something more than just an idea is by talking to other people and turning it into something real.

We’re too precious about ideas – ideas are easy. Execution is the hard bit and the bit you get rewarded for: talk to people and find people who are as enthusiastic about turning your idea into something more as you are.

By: James Vincent

James Vincent — Sun, 17 May 2009 16:23:46 +0000

I love to watch your videos and reviews on things. Tell ideas, but limit details. Untill last minute.

By: james

james — Sat, 16 May 2009 17:48:47 +0000

Excellent post James, given this is the fear of ever freelancer. There is an element in most ideas, particularly in my field are recycled, or merely variations on a theme. I’ve had meetings of late when entire proposals of ideas have been swooped up and stolen. Heartbreaking.
It’s definitely a subject in which i struggle to stop, think, and ferme la bouche – I’m improving for sure – but in wanting to help and appear entirely knowledgeable I fear there will be more of such moments.

By: James Vincent

James Vincent — Fri, 15 May 2009 23:03:09 +0000

I really like that thought James. Something to think about…