Re:Y Combinator has lost its soul: A YC founder's perspective
by tedivm on Wednesday July 22, 2020 @12:01PM
(#23918418)
There's a difference between "sells waffles" and "constructions a house using waffles as the building material", and I'm reasonably sure the second one doesn't exist.
Re:Y Combinator has lost its soul: A YC founder's perspective
by sjm-lbm on Wednesday July 22, 2020 @12:52PM
(#23918953)
I feel like the point is "you never know when an apparently crazy idea will turn into something reasonable, so you should always stick with someone until the end of their pitch and/or point."
Admittedly, I'm not sure that's universally true (we all have a limited amount of time, and it's reasonable to focus that time in places where it is going to give us the most benefit), but I'm pretty sure I see where the commenter is coming from.
Re:Y Combinator has lost its soul: A YC founder's perspective
by bananaface on Wednesday July 22, 2020 @02:13PM
(#23919890)
Ahh yes, the famous "pivot" from building a house out of waffles to selling waffles.
Re:Y Combinator has lost its soul: A YC founder's perspective
by Apocryphon on Wednesday July 22, 2020 @03:31PM
(#23920670)
Waffle House would probably get great mileage with a publicity stunt building a house made of waffles. Hearken back to Hansel and Gretel, use it to host a waffle-eating contest, donate excess pastries to charity. Could really revitalize the brand.
Re:Y Combinator has lost its soul: A YC founder's perspective
by klyrs on Wednesday July 22, 2020 @04:21PM
(#23921152)
Y'all are missing the truly horrible part of my idea (though Hansel & Gretel is about the right idea). After the house is built, the customers are intended to eat the house itself. I didn't flesh out the whole idea in my comment, but they should be inside the house while eating it. If it's big enough to warrant the name "house" (not "shack" nor "misshapen pile") then it's big enough for its inevitable collapse to endanger the customers.
Responding further upthread: this is an illustration of a "time waster." They exist on both sides (investors / founders, salespeople / customers, etc) and recognizing them is an important skill. Time is your most valuable resource. Use it wisely.
Re:Y Combinator has lost its soul: A YC founder's perspective
by bananaface on Thursday July 23, 2020 @04:37AM
(#23925376)
What about if you just make & sell Italian food?
See, there are no bad companies, all companies can pivot. In fact the original idea doesn't matter at all. Hurr durr buy my startup book
[1] https://www.wafflehouse.com/