"Actually, startup ideas are not million dollar ideas, and here's an experiment you can try to prove it: just try to sell one. Nothing evolves faster than markets. The fact that there's no market for startup ideas suggests there's no demand. Which means, in the narrow sense of the word, that startup ideas are worthless."
Of course the fortune cookie writer is familiar with Paul's essays. The cookie means "sell" as in persuade others of their value, not as in exchange for money. There's no contradiction here.
It's just a joke, bud. Have a laugh. I'm not implying that we should uproot PG's essays because of a fortune cookie. I just got it and thought of the essay.
Right. I disagree that ideas are worthless also. I think the point of the original essay is that you shouldn't let fear of having your idea stolen get the way of your goals. Given that, you can still take some steps to protect your ideas from potential competitors.
