How To Vet Clever Ideas Without Giving Them Away? 539
Rival writes "As an inquisitive and creative geek, I am constantly coming up with 'clever' ideas. Most often I discover fundamental or practical flaws lurking in the details, which I'm fine with. As Edison said, 'I haven't failed; I've found 10,000 ways that don't work.' Other times, I discover that someone else has beaten me to the idea. I'm fine with that, too. At least I know that I've come up with a great idea, even if I'm not the first. There are times, however, when I can find no flaws with an idea and nobody else seems to have thought of it. I'm not conceited enough to think my idea is genius; I just assume that I'm not knowledgeable enough to see what I'm missing. In these times, I often want to ask a subject matter expert for their thoughts. On the admittedly long chance that an idea is genius, however, what is the best way to ask for another's insights while mitigating the risk of them stealing or sharing the idea? Asking a stranger to sign a contract before discussing an idea seems like a good way to get a door closed on my face. What are your experiences and suggestions?"
Help us out... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Ideas want to be public (Score:5, Funny)
Guy Kawasaki gave one really good suggestion to test your idea: convince a woman
Dude, the guy is asking his question on Slashdot. The odds that he knows any women or has the guts to talk to them if he does are slim to none.
Now if you'll excuse me, the microwave upstairs just beeped. My hotpockets are done!
Re:Ask Slashdotters (Score:5, Funny)
They will find flaws
Your sentence is missing a period at the end. Also, you should be clearer about who "They" are although it can be assumed that it is "Slashdotters" as mentioned in the subject of your reply.
Also, your Slashdot ID (457709) is too high.
Use Powerpoint! (Score:2, Funny)
This Article Was Invented by Shampoo (Score:2, Funny)
Everything that I have invented is just in thought and is not produced for lack of money. These inventions are property of myself and are to be patented, copyrighted and trademarked under my name: Shampoo.
So just remind everyone constantly that your idea was invented by Rival and should be patented and trademarked and copyrighted under your name: Rival. It's that easy.
Convince a Stoner (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Ask Slashdotters (Score:3, Funny)
They will find flaws
Your sentence is missing a period at the end.
I have no moderator points right now, but those who do need to moderate the parent, "Funny as Hell."
And while I know I will ultimately lose this battle, thomasdz, YOUR Slashdot ID (178114) is too high. :)
Re:Ideas want to be public (Score:5, Funny)
Guy Kawasaki gave one really good suggestion to test your idea: convince a woman
Dude, the guy is asking his question on Slashdot. The odds that he knows any women or has the guts to talk to them if he does are slim to none.
Now if you'll excuse me, the microwave upstairs just beeped. My hotpockets are done!
Why does it worry me that that was modded +5 INFORMATIVE!
>_>
You're not a /. geek! (Score:3, Funny)
Dude, you're not a Slashdot geek... your microwave isn't in the same room as your PC. You mean you have to walk to another room on another floor in order to get yer grub?! Who can live with that sorta distraction?
Re:Ideas want to be public (Score:4, Funny)
Ask a lazy person... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:You're not a /. geek! (Score:4, Funny)
your microwave isn't in the same room as your PC
Mom said no microwave in the basement, and that's that!
Re:You're not a /. geek! (Score:3, Funny)
I thought it was pretty obvious that the microwave is in his mother's kitchen.
Re:You're not a /. geek! (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Ideas want to be public (Score:4, Funny)
Uhhhh, why would you cook your pockets?!
And speaking of not having girlfriends, I've got this great money-saving idea: wash the whites and colored laundry together. Saves a lot of money. Can't figure out why girls haven't caught on.
Or there's the other alternative (Score:5, Funny)
What I would do is find someone who's well acquainted in the field, then tell him your idea in great detail. If it's a bad idea, nothing lost, if it's a good idea, you can threaten to slaughter his whole family.
Too bad, Google have them already (Score:3, Funny)
You haven't made too explicit queries on Google for that, do you ?
Re:Ideas want to be public (Score:5, Funny)
Why does it worry me that that was modded +5 INFORMATIVE!
Because his hot pockets were indeed done. It was very informative, as we were all sitting here wondering when they would be done.
Re:Or there's the other alternative (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Ideas want to be public (Score:4, Funny)
wash the whites and colored laundry together. Saves a lot of money.
I've moved beyond that: I throw all my laundry into the dishwasher. Just throw some bleach in there and you're golden.
Now I have to get to that doctor's appointment -- he said on the phone that there was some problem with my liver.