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Viral score

Why it worked

The mechanics

Hook
Style
Tone
Written for

Analysis by ViralLoop — not written by the original author.

Erik Torenberg on Founder · ViralLoop

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Post by Erik Torenberg on X

Erik Torenberg@eriktorenberg

What are startup tropes you disagree with? for me: - co-founders should know each other well prior - founders shouldn't set out to start a startup without a spark of insight - founder shouldn’t have any diversification (ie be a scout) or else they'll be less all-in on their co

614 likes52 repliesPosted Dec 12, 2019

View the original on X Written by Erik Torenberg. Captured Sep 4, 2026.

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33

Viral score

Based on absolute engagement — the platform doesn’t expose follower counts here, so large accounts score higher.

From likes, comments.

Why it worked

Opens with a short, self-contained line that is easy to take in at a glance.
Follows a clear Hook → List → List → List shape, so the reader always knows where they are.
Short enough to read in full without expanding, which removes a step before the point lands.

The mechanics

Hook: Plain observation
Structure: Hook → List → List → List
Style: Listed out, so each point can be lifted on its own.
Tone: personal, punchy
Written for: Founders and early-stage teams

Analysis by ViralLoop — not written by the original author.

Topics

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More from Erik Torenberg

E12 w/ @beffjezos @bayeslord @labenz is up. We discuss: - Unpacking Effective Accelerationism - Effective Accelerationism vs Effective Altruism - AI safety vs AI accelerationism In case you’d like a break from doomscrolling, here’s the anti-doomer take on accelerating AI

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