I don't think there is much to enjoy digging a tunnel with a spoon for 20 years ;)
‘The Shawshank Redemption’: A Simple But Powerful Message
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Re: ‘The Shawshank Redemption’: A Simple But Powerful Message
#12This is a tedious link. I'm sure you could similarly formulate one based on Batman or Predator, if you wanted.
Re: ‘The Shawshank Redemption’: A Simple But Powerful Message
#13Good points, but I really don't agree with the analogy of Andy's predicament and a startup... You have no idea how deep the wall is. Then find out. Google "lean startup", "Eric Ries", "Steve Blank", or "Rob Walling". There is a strong active movement for avoiding exactly this problem. Anyone starting a business should embrace it. You have nothing but a rock hammer. Then get more tools. This includes technology, metho…
Hi Ed - Big fan of your posts.
While I'm also a huge fan of the lean startup methodology, it's still an estimate. You're doing your best to make an educated guess, but you're never really sure if you were correct until years later.
Re: ‘The Shawshank Redemption’: A Simple But Powerful Message
#14Good points, but I really don't agree with the analogy of Andy's predicament and a startup... You have no idea how deep the wall is. Then find out. Google "lean startup", "Eric Ries", "Steve Blank", or "Rob Walling". There is a strong active movement for avoiding exactly this problem. Anyone starting a business should embrace it. You have nothing but a rock hammer. Then get more tools. This includes technology, metho…
These counterpoints sound swell for trivial activities like developing mobile apps that remind me to walk my dog. What about the guy developing fusion, or rockets to the moon? Or pursuing the minesweeper that is step-by-step scientific discovery. Should we forgo all activities that require serious investment and only take baby-steps to attain the goals we calculate to be the surest and easiest to reach?
Re: ‘The Shawshank Redemption’: A Simple But Powerful Message
#15There is one huge difference between prison and startup - alternatives you have.
When you are in prison all you can have, if you don't try to escape is a miserable life till the end of your days. On the other hand - after ten years of hard work you can get free. It gives you really big motivation - negative motivation is usually greater than positive.
With startup you have choice between pretty good life (if you are a programmer you can find really nice job) and great success. Motivation is rather small comparing to prison situation.
Having said all this - author still is right - you need to have fun from journey, not only from target.
Re: ‘The Shawshank Redemption’: A Simple But Powerful Message
#16I like The Shawshank Redemption.
But, startups are like digging an escape tunnel for wrongful imprisonment so you can live the life you deserved in the first place, or be placed in solitary confinement if you fail?
No, thanks -- I'll go with another analogy :)
Re: ‘The Shawshank Redemption’: A Simple But Powerful Message
#17What a great way to trivialize a classic film. "It's like 'Shawshank Redemption', except at the end people can reserve a table at a restaurant without calling ahead."
Re: ‘The Shawshank Redemption’: A Simple But Powerful Message
#18Good points, but I really don't agree with the analogy of Andy's predicament and a startup... You have no idea how deep the wall is. Then find out. Google "lean startup", "Eric Ries", "Steve Blank", or "Rob Walling". There is a strong active movement for avoiding exactly this problem. Anyone starting a business should embrace it. You have nothing but a rock hammer. Then get more tools. This includes technology, metho…
These counterpoints sound swell for trivial activities like developing mobile apps that remind me to walk my dog. What about the guy developing fusion, or rockets to the moon? Or pursuing the minesweeper that is step-by-step scientific discovery. Should we forgo all activities that require serious investment and only take baby-steps to attain the goals we calculate to be the surest and easiest to reach?
Am I the only one who believes that the lean startup movement is a positive for early stage investors at the expense of true innovation and causes founders who would otherwise try tough challenges to try somewhat trivial business ideas?
It seems that the framework is designed to reduce the need for computer engineers to use business thinking and to allow for a few examples of lucky groups to float to the top, raise capital while leaving the vast majority of those who try it with nothing to show for their work.
With the strength of the movement, how many people out there are currently trying "lean startups" only to fail? What do we think the percentage of businesses that get started using this methodology would actually make a profit large enough to support/grow the business at some point in the future?
It seems that the lean startup method serves a purpose in that it helps people try stuff, but it probably is not the right approach for any real challenge.
Re: ‘The Shawshank Redemption’: A Simple But Powerful Message
#19"If you fail, all your efforts add up to nothing. "
Disagree with this. Even if you fail, you have learnt a lot and you will get another chance to try it. In case of Andy, he probably would not have got another chance. Big difference.
Re: ‘The Shawshank Redemption’: A Simple But Powerful Message
#20A fine movie that deserves a spoiler alert when revealing the key plot twist.