Paul Graham wrote "How to Get Startup Ideas" over a decade ago. It's still the best thing ever written on the topic.
But a lot has changed since 2013 — especially for developers. AI tools have made it easier than ever to build something. That same ease has made it harder than ever to build the right something. The traps PG described have gotten deeper. The good paths have gotten more valuable.
Here's my updated breakdown of his core ideas, with honest 2025 context added throughout.
The One Sentence That Changes Everything
PG opens with this:
