YCombinator
Tarpit ideas, despite their allure and initial appeal, often lead to startup failure due to an inability to pivot quickly. They often have an emotional connection and are viewed as attractive, garnering praise. These ideas are largely consumer-focused, which resonates with us as we are all consumers. However, the success bar for consumer businesses is high and timing is crucial. For example, Google's success was due to its excellent product and perfectly timed launch when people were just starting to use computers and the internet. Similarly, Facebook had no competition and quickly became addictive to users. Often, the desire for better options doesn't mean they exist, and this can lead to the failure of startups based on these ideas. The supply and demand of ideas and founders also play a role, with some ideas having an abundance of enthusiastic founders and others lacking the necessary skills.