A Word to the Resourceful

Paul Graham’s essay A Word to the Resourceful identifies a crucial pattern: unsuccessful startups were “hard to talk to.”

The Pattern Observed

Unsuccessful founders seemed distant and difficult to engage with. Successful founders demonstrated the quality of being able to “take care of themselves.”

The Connection

The essay traces this to “a word to the wise is sufficient.” Intelligent people grasp full implications from minimal information, just as resourceful founders turn a simple introduction into funding.

The Underlying Problem

The issue wasn’t stupidity but “conservatism that comes from weakness.” Unsuccessful founders approached new ideas cautiously, avoiding uncomfortable conclusions.

The Real Issue

Being hard to talk to was a symptom. The core deficit: unsuccessful founders failed to pursue funding, users, and new ideas with the same energy successful founders did.

My Takeaway

Resourcefulness requires willingness to follow implications wherever they lead, even to uncomfortable places.