The author isn't wrong... but "nerd," IMO, is still derogatory in the way it's used. There's a prevailing idea amongst non-technical business people that developers are replaceable cogs and will jump at the chance to work on the next big idea for the smallest portion the business person thinks they can get away with.
This kind of wishful thinking, I find, is offensive. I don't work 8 - 10 hours a day; spend 2 hours a night hacking, reading, and practicing; and spend good money to attend conferences just so that I can work on your idea. Worse, many business people expect me to work for half of nothing. They think that their idea has some sort of inherent value. That it is actually so unique and innovative that it is actually worth something.
Newsflash: you probably didn't think of it yourself.
Anyway.. my advice if you need a technical co-founder: don't call them nerds. If someone doesn't mind being called a nerd they'll let you know. You sound like a clueless douche when you say, "I need a nerd to build this project." You sound like you don't even care about what we "nerds" put our heart and souls into doing. If it was so easy you wouldn't need people with our skills and experience... so be nice and come to the realization that if you want to start a tech company with no tech experience you're going to have to take the smaller portion of the equity and have a good amount of cash on hand.
Otherwise make good friends and wish for the best.
The author isn't wrong... but "nerd," IMO, is still derogatory in the way it's used. There's a prevailing idea amongst non-technical business people that developers are replaceable cogs and will jump at the chance to work on the next big idea for the smallest portion the business person thinks they can get away with.
This kind of wishful thinking, I find, is offensive. I don't work 8 - 10 hours a day; spend 2 hours a night hacking, reading, and practicing; and spend good money to attend conferences just so that I can work on your idea. Worse, many business people expect me to work for half of nothing. They think that their idea has some sort of inherent value. That it is actually so unique and innovative that it is actually worth something.
Newsflash: you probably didn't think of it yourself.
Anyway.. my advice if you need a technical co-founder: don't call them nerds. If someone doesn't mind being called a nerd they'll let you know. You sound like a clueless douche when you say, "I need a nerd to build this project." You sound like you don't even care about what we "nerds" put our heart and souls into doing. If it was so easy you wouldn't need people with our skills and experience... so be nice and come to the realization that if you want to start a tech company with no tech experience you're going to have to take the smaller portion of the equity and have a good amount of cash on hand.
Otherwise make good friends and wish for the best.