The Dumb Idea Paradox: Why great ideas often start out by sounding dumb. at andrewchen

The most attractive startups are those that have counterintuitive behavior plus traction. These ideas often develop at the seam between "natives" and "immigrants". Instagram-natives are likely to see a new retail space or ecomm brand differently than those who aren't exposed to the same thousands of pictures.

As a new technological age begins, strong and weak technologies often arrive together. The weak version of a technology is usually the more plausible, "immigrant" version. The stronger version will sound better to natives. Next time you hear an idea that sounds dumb, ask yourself — is it really dumb, or am I just getting old?

Among the biggest wins in the past few years are:. An app that lets you get into strangers' cars. A site that allows you to watch video games, but not play them.