Paul Graham on Ambition, Art, and Evaluating Talent
Conversations with Tyler
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The Power of Networks and Blowing up Ideas
The power of networks is evident when like-minded people gather in one place, such as elite universities or cities like London in the 17th century. However, the main factor in fostering ambition is not just being around ambitious people but also the skill of blowing up ideas and making them bigger. This skill involves helping people see the potential of their ideas beyond what they initially thought. This skill is particularly notable in YC interviews, where it functions as a negotiation tactic to uncover the true value of an idea.
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