Paul Graham on Founder

Paul Graham@paulg

Want to start a startup doing eye-tracking? If so I'd be interested in funding it. A friend of mine has ALS and can only move his eyes. He has an eye-controlled keyboard, but it's not very good. Can you make him a better one?

2.9K likes364 repliesPosted Aug 27, 2023

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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 question, so the reader starts answering before they have decided to read.
Follows a clear Hook → Context → Invitation shape, so the reader always knows where they are.
Ends on a question, which is the most reliable way to turn readers into repliers.
The opening line stands alone, so it reads completely before the post is expanded.
Written from experience rather than as advice, which is harder to argue with.
Short enough to read in full without expanding, which removes a step before the point lands.

The mechanics

Hook: Opens with a question
Structure: Hook → Context → Invitation
Style: Conversational paragraphs at a steady pace.
Tone: personal
Written for: Founders and early-stage teams

Analysis by ViralLoop — not written by the original author.

Topics

Founder

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