Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

I wonder how this would work for something like the first guy trying to sell chewing gum...


Chewing gum (as in, a chewy substance you chew for the sake of chewing) was discovered/invented a long time ago, probably before money. It was a naturally-occurring part of the tree. If you mean modern chewing gum, it had to differentiate itself from the previous iteration of chewing gum.


> So what will you sell?

> It's gum and you are supposed to chew it.

> What do you mean?

> You place a soft solid in your mouth and you chew it.

> You are delusional.

> But I'll make it colored and flavored.

> Please, seek mental help.


This reminds me of a comedy sketch I heard once which was someone returning from the new world in the 1500's and was pitching the idea of smoking to an investor.

"But why would you do that?"

I found the sketch very funny at the time, but have since found out that the real initial pitch answer was "It cures everything!".

"Anything that harms a man inwardly from his girdle upward might be removed by a moderate use of the herb."


In fact I think chewing gum was uber easy to sell. As a replacement to the toothbrush. Also as a substitute for food when you're hungry.




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: