Paul Graham Essays Series (TLDR Network)

"How to Do Great Work" by Paul Graham offers a guide to achieving groundbreaking work in any field. It emphasizes the importance of following one's innate interests and passions, arguing that genuine curiosity is the driving force behind true innovation. The essay delves into the process of discovering and developing these interests, suggesting that working hard on ambitious projects that are personally exciting is crucial for achi...

In this essay, Paul Graham argues that startups should prioritize building something people want, and not worry too much about profit at first. He suggests that this approach aligns startups with the principles of a charity, as they focus on providing value rather than maximizing revenue. Graham supports this idea by referencing companies like Craigslist and Google, which achieved remarkable success by initially focusing on user ne...

Paul Graham's essay "Why Nerds are Unpopular" explores the social dynamics of American secondary schools, specifically focusing on the reasons why intelligent students often struggle with popularity. Graham argues that being smart is not inherently unpopular but that the social pressure to conform and the emphasis on superficial qualities like physical appearance and social skills make it difficult for nerds to find their place. He...

Paul Graham's essay, "What You Can't Say," explores the concept of moral fashions, arguing that these arbitrary social norms are often mistaken for good and can be more dangerous than ordinary fashions. He suggests that our era is likely to have its own set of ridiculous beliefs, just as past eras did, and that we should be skeptical of our own supposed wisdom. He provides several methods for identifying these hidden taboos, includ...

Paul Graham's "The 18 Mistakes That Kill Startups" provides a list of common pitfalls faced by fledgling companies, particularly within the realm of technology. He outlines the dangers of single-founder businesses, bad location choices, narrow market focus, derivative ideas, and stubborn refusal to adapt to evolving circumstances. Graham further warns against hiring unqualified programmers, choosing the wrong technological platform...

Paul Graham's essay, "Hackers and Painters," argues that hackers, like painters, are makers who create beautiful things. Graham critiques the term "computer science," finding it misleading as it lumps together diverse fields. He contrasts the theoretical approach of academia with the practical, iterative process of hacking, emphasizing the importance of sketching and refining ideas through code. Graham proposes that hackers should ...

Paul Graham argues that there are two distinct types of work schedules: the manager's schedule and the maker's schedule. The manager's schedule, common among those in positions of authority, prioritizes meetings and short, focused work blocks. The maker's schedule, often preferred by creators like programmers and writers, emphasizes long stretches of uninterrupted time to delve into complex tasks. The clash between these schedules ...

In this essay, Paul Graham argues that startups should prioritize actions that do not scale, particularly in their initial stages. He explains that focusing on manually acquiring and delighting users is crucial for gaining traction and generating growth. Graham emphasizes that early-stage startups are fragile and require intense effort from the founders to ensure success. He encourages founders to think of startup ideas as vectors ...

This Paul Graham essay, written in 2005, offers a practical guide for aspiring entrepreneurs on how to start a successful startup. The author argues that successful startups require three key components: good people, a product customers actually want, and minimal expenditure. He emphasizes that a brilliant idea is not essential, and good people can overcome poor ideas. The essay then explores crucial aspects of startup creation, in...