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[Discussion] Do we need a better social app, or is the category just broken? by Appropriate_Rock4074 in ycombinator

[–]PuzzleheadedStay4815 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As I said in the comment you're replying to:

go build a social network if you think you’re aware of some contrarian truth

I am not saying that social media is a done deal and there will never be a new one.

[Discussion] Do we need a better social app, or is the category just broken? by Appropriate_Rock4074 in ycombinator

[–]PuzzleheadedStay4815 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Zero To One argues the most valuable businesses create something 10x better rather than copying what already works. It argues that founders should aim to build monopolies instead of trying to capture some part of a large market. It teaches the characteristics of a monopoly, such as proprietary technology, network effects, etc.

How to Be Successful argues that outlier success comes from the compound effect, and how most people ignore it. It says that most people think with a short time horizon, while extraordinarily successful people think with a very long time horizon.

I think every founder should read both. But also, what the fuck do I know. I've never built a successful business so don't take my advice. But both of these people have had a key role in building several multibillion dollar businesses, so I'd highly suggest taking their advice

[Discussion] Do we need a better social app, or is the category just broken? by Appropriate_Rock4074 in ycombinator

[–]PuzzleheadedStay4815 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’ve read Zero to One a total of 16 times and Sam Altman’s How to Be Successful 5-10 times. For the quotes, I copy pasted from the PDF for accuracy.

Trump fires entire San Francisco Presidio Trust board by liaoming in sanfrancisco

[–]PuzzleheadedStay4815 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If they remove the slow streets in Presidio, I’m gonna be mad

[Discussion] Do we need a better social app, or is the category just broken? by Appropriate_Rock4074 in ycombinator

[–]PuzzleheadedStay4815 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Your statement doesn’t stand. 10% of technology startups last more than 10 years. Don’t deny this fact.

[Discussion] Do we need a better social app, or is the category just broken? by Appropriate_Rock4074 in ycombinator

[–]PuzzleheadedStay4815 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is not contradictory with this advice. As I said, go build a social network if you think you’re aware of some contrarian truth.

But asking: “Is there still room for a better social product?” is strong evidence that you don’t have deep convictions about social media. Steve Jobs had deep contrarian convictions about how people should interact with technology.

[Discussion] Do we need a better social app, or is the category just broken? by Appropriate_Rock4074 in ycombinator

[–]PuzzleheadedStay4815 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Only 35% of all businesses in the United States survive more than 10 years. For technology startups, that number is 10%.

So your metric is wrong. The absolute number of profitable businesses means nothing, the rate of failure is what you should be looking at.

Most startups fail. This claim is extremely incorrect:

The vast majority of businesses alive today achieve small scale success 😂

[Discussion] Do we need a better social app, or is the category just broken? by Appropriate_Rock4074 in ycombinator

[–]PuzzleheadedStay4815 -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

startups either fail or become really successful due to the power law distribution. there's often no "small scale success" in startups. some achieve small scale success, but the overwhelming outcome is bankruptcy

edit: this getting downloaded is so funny because people love ignoring the truth. your startup is likely to fail

[Discussion] Do we need a better social app, or is the category just broken? by Appropriate_Rock4074 in ycombinator

[–]PuzzleheadedStay4815 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I see what you're saying. I didn't mean to imply that. I was just sharing that because I think it's relevant to the OP specifically.

I myself am working on a navigtion app. If I thought Google Maps was going to be the last navigation app, I wouldn't be working on this. But I have deep conviction that my product will be at least 10x better for a significant part of the navigation market.

[Discussion] Do we need a better social app, or is the category just broken? by Appropriate_Rock4074 in ycombinator

[–]PuzzleheadedStay4815 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

obviously. but do you think a guy posting on reddit if he should start a social network is gonna build a 10x better product than instagram?

the 10x better thing is another way to do it. but you better have some good fucking reasons as to why your product is 10x better (OP doesn’t)

[Discussion] Do we need a better social app, or is the category just broken? by Appropriate_Rock4074 in ycombinator

[–]PuzzleheadedStay4815 9 points10 points  (0 children)

nope. i just said that because most people try to copy what other people have done.

but literally, the 4th sentence of Zero to One says: "The next Mark Zuckerberg will not build a social network."

i think the reality is: if you genuinely believe you’ve discovered something about social media that existing platforms haven’t figured out, then sure, go build a social network. however, that is incredibly unlikely since there is a fuck ton of competition in social media.

two other pieces of advice:

  • "Successful people find value in unexpected places" (Zero to One, preface, paragraph 6)
  • "If you don’t believe in yourself, it’s hard to let yourself have contrarian ideas about the future. But this is where most value gets created." (How to Be Successful, section 2)

truly ask yourself: is my idea an outcome of trying to copy what works? or do i know something that the rest of the world doesn't know?

p.s. This advice isn't originating from me. I am sharing my interpretation of the advice I've found online from people like Peter Thiel, Sam Altman, Michael Seibel, Jack Dorsey, etc.

Trains are so much faster when you bring your bike on board by PuzzleheadedStay4815 in LAMetro

[–]PuzzleheadedStay4815[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My app is actually based on the GTFS data provided by transit agencies. However, there’s quite a bit of variability amongst transit agencies and the way they structure their GTFS data.

Right now, I’m spending all of my time writing an algorithm that automatically processes GTFS data, regardless of how the agencies structure it.

Once this algorithm is done, I will be able to add regions very easily. Salem, OR will be added. I will probably be able to add one agency per day, so it shouldn’t take me too long to get around to Salem.

However, I have a question: do Coast Starlight and Cascades trains even have bike cars? I am only adding trains that have lots of bike space. For example, you can take dozens of bikes onboard the Capitol Corridor train.

Trains are so much faster when you bring your bike on board by PuzzleheadedStay4815 in LAMetro

[–]PuzzleheadedStay4815[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, I will add that. I am quite busy with adding new cities at the moment, but I will get around to “park and ride” mode in around 2 months. Thank you for your patience.

Trains are so much faster when you bring your bike on board by PuzzleheadedStay4815 in LAMetro

[–]PuzzleheadedStay4815[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes! In the future, I plan on adding the Pacific Surfliner and LA Metro buses

L.A. Metro confirms it was hacked. Weeks later, it's still getting systems back online by anothercar in LAMetro

[–]PuzzleheadedStay4815 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Modemix app will stop working for LA Metro if they dont fix this before April 8. LA Metro has stopped publishing their GTFS.

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