TRC 037: What to do when everyone tells you you're crazy

Read time: 5 mins

The genesis of the technology that forms the technical basis for the internet and nearly all modern communications we have today, started with a researcher at the RAND corporation in the early 1960s.

Paul Baran, a computer scientist developed the concept of packet switching.

His vision was to create a robust communication network capable of surviving a nuclear attack.

The great fear at the time was that the world would stumble into war when lack of communications would lead an individual missile operator to take a decision on their own (The Denzel Washington movie Crimson Tide is great at bringing the realities of this to life).

Unlike traditional communication methods, which relied on dedicated circuits, packet switching breaks data into small packets that travel independently across the network, finding the most efficient route to their destination.

This decentralised approach not only improved resilience but also maximised efficiency, laying the groundwork for the modern Internet.

Fierce Opposition

Baran’s ideas were met with significant resistance from the commercial incumbents.

‘You’re crazy’

‘It will never work’

….were common themes he heard from telecoms companies like AT&T, who were skeptical and dismissive.

They claimed Baran simply did not understand how voice telecommunication worked and scoffed at his ideas.

They had a vested interest in maintaining the status quo, which relied on circuit-switched networks.

Baran kept going back in an attempt to dispel their opposition.

His work eventually caught the attention of the Department of Defense, leading (along with the work of Donald Davies) to the development of ARPANET, the precursor to the Internet.

What startup founders can learn from this….

1. Don’t be afraid of bold ideas:
   • Great innovations often seem radical and impractical at first. If your vision is met with skepticism, it might be a sign that you're onto something transformative. We usually say these days that, for an idea to have great potential, at least 50% of people will tell you you’re crazy.
2. Persistence in the face of opposition:
   • Resistance is part of the journey. Stay committed to your vision, even when facing criticism from established players or industry experts. Marc Andreessen faced similar resistance from established players when developing what would become Netscape.
3. Seek support from unconventional allies:
   • Baran found support from the Department of Defense when traditional telecom companies rejected his ideas. Look for allies outside of the usual circles who can see the potential in your innovation.
4. Iterate and improve:
   • Baran’s concept of packet switching evolved through rigorous testing and refinement. Continuous iteration is crucial to refining your ideas and overcoming initial flaws. Things will never be perfect out of the gate.
5. Communicate your vision clearly:
   • Articulating the benefits and potential of your innovation is essential to gaining support. Use clear, compelling narratives to explain how your idea can solve real-world problems. ‘Build it and they will come’ definitely doesn’t work if nobody can understand it. Get great at storytelling.
6. Don’t burn too hard (this is more of a need to know):
   • Whilst it’s important to be resilient, make sure you don’t spend too hard ahead of your proof. There are no prizes for founders who run out of cash before they get to prove they are right (even to themselves). Stay lean.

It’s inevitable that you will face opposition and resistance to your ideas as a startup founder.

Rejection from potential investors, customers and partners is routine.

It’s just what business is like, so you don’t have to take it personally.

But it’s also comforting to know that this has been the same experience for the people that were starting with ideas that have had the greatest impact on our world.

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