Re: tackling the hard stuff and fear...
I think fear plays a great part in many people's (usually) unconscious calculations, but, you know, everything in this world takes the easy way -- evolution demands it, actually, where "easy" mean "most efficient"...this is why your body tries to pack on the fat but resists making more muscle (yes, obesity is not totally "your" fault!)...I think the central tenet of Daoism is to go with the flow, like water. Indeed, the admonition to follow our passion is, in a certain very deep sense, to pursue the "easy," or most natural, path!
Whew, that's a whole host of semantic assumptions right there...sorry to muddy the waters...thanks for the article, Steve; it helped reaffirm my initial impressions of my undertaking: recall that I've been saying how incredible it is that I've got a great idea that no one's exploited yet? Well, duh -- 'cause it's hard to do!
I guess the closest example I can give is, like, a situation where no one tries chatting up the prettiest girl in the office 'cause they assume she's taken...but she's not...but then again, it turns out that she's really "high-maintenance!"
Anyway, as regards competition proper: sure, building a better mousetrap is the way to go. Yes, having someone copy that better mousetrap forces you to come up with a yet better one. MySpace wasn't the first social networking service, but it seems like it edged out Friendster, Facebook, etc. due to the musicians-and-free-.mp3 angle. So okay, I get that.
I'm just wondering if there are principles for dealing with competitors besides "innovate innovate innovate." For example, advertising campaigns create perceptions of difference where there really is no difference, like between different brands of toilet papers or microwavable popcorn.
Again, I'm asking 'cause I'm totally new to business and business-think, but it seems like many brilliant minds must have already pondered just these issues.