the critical self talk is normal. you should watch seth godin's talk "quieting the lizard brain" https://vimeo.com/5895898
i just had a similar conversation, but it dealt with music instead of code. this person felt they couldn't improvise/ create.
the problem isn't with their abilities, it's that they were taught to follow instructions - like the notes on sheet music. jazz musicians play off what they hear instead. however, they first internalized the rules and then forgot them.
you've already got the rules down - so the next step is to "forget" them.
a time constraint like going to a hackathon is a good place to start. you're pushing yourself to create in a short amount of time.
here, you'll focus on shipping...drowning out the critical voice in your head.
it's much like a muscle. the more you build and struggle through, the stronger you'll get.
completely agree on learning to code. i have this conversation all the time with non technical entrepreneurs. it's about controlling your destiny. you have more of that when you can at least build an MVP. these days, its easier than ever - you just have to be naturally curious.
i'm just reading the case as i see it. there might be more or less to this - but there were multiple opportunities for the guy to come forward especially after previous rounds.
a vesting schedule is standard and would not have been overlooked by someone who founded 2 companies w/ successful exits.
here's a direct quote from sam's post (http://blog.samaltman.com/cruise) : "Even if Jeremy had signed a stock agreement, he wouldn’t have reached the standard 1-year cliff for founders to vest any equity."
this looks cool - but one recommendation would be to
move the gold ring further down the page or remove it altogether. in it's current position, it seems out of place. i would put the "1. build your itinerary ... etc" section above that. perhaps install a chat window on the site and ask your potential signups if a gold ring would be a viable incentive?
Check out Compute Midwest this fall. Previous speakers include founders/leaders from iRobot, reddit, Shapeways, D-wave, DARPA, interaXon, singularity, NASA Mars Rover project and so many more
maybe i'm reading too much into it, but i find the title bothersome. why start with the premise that the midwest needs "defense"?
there's great stuff happening here, and anyone with an open mind would recognize that. let's talk up our successes instead of being bashful because we're "not SF".
I've noticed a decline over the past 3+.
Feels like the "move fast and break things" mantra has been adopted. This works for Facebook... but it doesn't for Apple.
Shipping new features seems to take precedent over fixing bugs.
Some of us just want the Apple quality back.
It's really not too much to ask.