Business

Hackers & Painters: 6 key ideas

The core ideas of Hackers & Painters, each in under a minute, written in our own words. Want the full depth? Get the book.

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  1. IDEA 1 OF 6

    Makers are like artists

    Programming is a creative craft.

    Good software is sketched, tested and revised, like a painting.

  2. IDEA 2 OF 6

    Wealth is what people want

    Startups create wealth by making things people want.

    Money follows value.

  3. IDEA 3 OF 6

    Small teams move faster

    Small groups can outpace big companies because they take risks and decide quickly.

  4. IDEA 4 OF 6

    Think what you can't say

    Every era has taboos.

    Notice ideas you're not allowed to say and ask whether they're true.

  5. IDEA 5 OF 6

    Taste matters

    Good design comes from good taste: simplicity, timelessness and solving the right problem.

  6. IDEA 6 OF 6

    Learn by building

    Make things to learn, rather than only studying.

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