Do you really think "work for hire" is a great way to generate startup ideas? This is exactly what pg is pitching there.
The advice also goes strictly against what pg himself is advising in the same article: The place to start looking for ideas is things you need. There must be things you need. [14]
But let's look at the one example that pg gives in the article: Rajat Suri didn't offer to write any software restaurants might need - he learned what they needed, and then struck out on his own.
If anybody had suggested he should just work as free IT for restaurants, that would sound kind of ridiculous, no?
But please, try out his advice, see how it works for you.
I was referring to the part where you said women would get offended; it haves nothing to do with the actual effectiveness of the approach (asking them).
The advice also goes strictly against what pg himself is advising in the same article: The place to start looking for ideas is things you need. There must be things you need. [14]
But let's look at the one example that pg gives in the article: Rajat Suri didn't offer to write any software restaurants might need - he learned what they needed, and then struck out on his own.
If anybody had suggested he should just work as free IT for restaurants, that would sound kind of ridiculous, no?
But please, try out his advice, see how it works for you.