Execution shapes ideas

I pretty much agree with this.

In fact, when execution can be cast as implementing a computer program, one can be very formal about comparing ideas and execution; they are related the same way theorems and proofs are.

If we use the Curry-Howard isomorphism; the idea is often a type ("Let's make a program that turns X into Y!") (a theorem) and the execution is often a program (a term realizing that type) (the proof).

So it seems that the value of an idea with no execution (which is not a theorem until it has been proved!) would be abstractly the same value as an unproved proposition. Except now, the proof not only says that the proposition is true, but also realizes whatever that proposition denotes, because it's a computer program. In that sense, execution of an idea is worth a lot more than the idea, because it also provides evidence that the idea is not nonsense.

But who to give more credit to? The idea guy or the implementor? Consider that when we change even a little bit of our execution, we are changing the idea , because it will prove something different. In this sense, both the idea and execution are very much in the hands of the 'implementor,' and the 'idea guy' only provides initial inspiration, which by its commonality is pretty much worthless.

Well, or maybe not; there is value in picking the right initial inspiration and perspective. Is that something only really experienced 'veterans', 'masters', 'talented people', and 'gurus' can have, or can it be explicitly trained and taught, so that this nebulous notion of 'having the right perspective' can be as simple and clear-cut as using a cookbook? I think the latter.

What about when execution consists of other, non-programming factors like talking with the right people, or marketing or whatnot? It's certainly harder to formalize, but I wonder what value there is in treating the non-obviously-programming parts of what is viewed as 'execution' as just another kind of programming, but not done with the usual compilers/interpreters.

I'm guilty of taking this myth literally myself. Until recently, when I experienced the complex scenario that "ideas don't matter" represents. A better way to communicate this might be: "Ideas don't matter unless proven otherwise".

My experience with "ideas don't matter":

A few months ago I pitched an idea to my idea buddy. We are very committed to financial independence, so he took me seriously. And he asked all the questions he needed to clearly understand what I was suggesting. Still - despite his respect for me - he shrugged it off as me being silly and grasping at straws.

In the weeks that followed I took my hands off my "big" idea to see how well this "little" idea would turn out. The holidays where coming and I needed a smaller project to focus on for the shorter more inconsistent periods of programming time I'd have to invest in a project.

A few weeks later I emerged with a hacked together prototype. I thought to myself.. "I was right, this is cool!". Proud of my programming abilities and pleased that my idea "worked"; I presented the prototype to the same friend.

To my surprise he pretty much flipped out. He went on and on about how simple and brilliant it was. How he had not envisioned of how great the idea was based on my original pitch. I took a step back and related with him, then realized I might be on to something.

After a few more weeks of polish on the prototype, he forced me to present my idea/execution at one of our local developer Meetup's. After boring the 25 participants with other programming topics I presented my prototype. The room lit up with energy and participation, questions fired off from all corners of the room, and the presentation went on to extend past its allotted timeframe. Again, I was caught off guard.

I come up with 5 ideas a week, and there was no reason for me to believe this particular idea was any more promising than any other I spout off at random. I just picked it because it was fun and convenient. Looking back I'm in awe at how this idea was almost as useless as the rest of the ideas I file away. And while I don't yet know if this idea is a "diamond", it has already positively impacted my life for the coming months.

The whole point of the "Ideas don't matter" debate is exactly what you're pointing out on your post. People taking the phrase at face value just want to be on the opposing side because they like to antagonize popular opinion. When people say that ideas don't really matter, what they mean is that a great idea doesn't have an iota of influence on the success of a business/project based on said idea, when compared to the execution which can (and most probably will) have a huge influence in how everything turns out. The reality is that better ideas have a miniscule (though existent) influence on a businesses success, while execution of the idea has a much much larger piece of influence pie.

A bad idea most definitely will bomb, but it can be saved by a great execution. A good idea can easily bomb, though it's a lot less probable if it's executed right. The common denominator between both situations is that luck, timing, and execution are of extreme value, while the idea itself takes a back seat to be a secondary concern. Sure it's a lot better to have a great idea (which gives you a few bonus points in favor of actually making it), but what will determine if you succeed is how good your product (and marketing) actually is, if the timing is right, and if you're pretty freaking lucky.

Anything tangible or intangible that is capable of being owned or controlled to produce value and that is held to have positive economic value is considered an asset. Ideas aren't special; they're assets, just like any other economic resource. However, ideas are very illiquid. To extract the value of an idea, you have to execute it, which can take months or years and is very uncertain. Liquidity makes assets worth more, so ideas take a significant price cut since they're so hard to "sell". So that's why ideas aren't worth very much...

I think this is the first well thought-out post I've seen on this subject in a while. Thanks for sharing it.