Cool little app. Check formatting on long notes-- I notice that if the note text exceeds the box, text gets hidden under the save button while typing. Also, after closing a long note, the box does not expand to accomodate a long note, and the text spills across the boundary of the note box.
I think maybe the "normals", who don't read Hacker News every day and aren't immersed in startup culture, just aren't used to visualizing products. It's not second nature for them to consider the usefulness of a product to a market they are not personally a part of.
That said-- I agree with your conclusion... you never know when someone can share an insight or help, so don't hold back!
Could be, pedalpete. I find people are generally positive and encouraging, certainly polite. It can be difficult, even a little uncomfortable when face-to-face, to try and visualize another person's idea. People will grasp at tangible analogs as a way to understand a new idea, which can be tough to stomach as an entrepreneur when you clearly see a unique vision. No one is ever as excited about the idea as the entrepreneur... or else something is wrong!
Ian MacKaye - he lives his life completely on his own terms; maintains a purity about what he is doing; is able to see straight through roadblocks; and creates great music. I want to be an entrepreneur like Ian is a musician.