Chapter 2: Avoiding Bad Data

Bad data gives you false negatives (idea is dead) and false positives (idea is good when it's not), false positives are worse
Avoid complements, fluff (anything in the future), and ideas
You'll need to get a conversation back on track

Deflect Complements

Complements feel good but they're bad data, almost certainly lying, not intentionally
Even if true, still worthless as no one knows the future without concrete and hyper specific industry experience (and even then maybe blinded by being too close to the problem)
Best way is to avoid bringing up your idea, if it does happen then deflect and get on with the business of gathering facts and commitments
If you hear a complment you want to back up and be suscpious, and go back to the mom test tactics of asking about specifics with how they're dealing iwth it right now
Might get multiple complements back to back and keep pushing for specifics and being interested in their current solution
Don't need to end up with what you want to hear, just need the truth
Almost every response contains a sneaky complement
If you notice yourself saying "thanks" or "I'm glad that you like it be careful" or "that meeting went really well," or "getting a lot of positive feedback" or "everyone loves the idea" be careful because that means that you're getting complements rather than real data
Answer: why did they like it? How much money would it save? How would it fit into his life? What else has he tried which failed to solve the problem?" - if you can't answer these then you're dealing with complements rather than real data