Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin
The 13-year-old CEO who invented a cure for hiccups (theweek.com)
20 points by dwynings on May 5, 2012 | hide | past | favorite | 13 comments


Whereby "invented a cure" they mean "glued together some folk remedies". The coverage and marketing will sell a number of these, but sadly the only important business lesson learned will be selling false promises.

Throw in some hair tonic and a bridge and we'll talk.


Is there anyone who cannot stop their hiccups by just holding their breath for 20-30 seconds? That works every time for me.


Yes, there are people with chronic rather than acute hiccoughs.

A wide range of quite strong medication is used. Wikipedia has some information.


Sometimes it works for me sometimes not. Sometimes drinking water will cure it or just taking deep breaths and contracting / relaxing diaphragm and stomach muscles cures it. Also having someone sneak up behind you and scaring the crap out of you can do it sometimes.


So, is this a universal cure or not? Because there do exists multitudes of treatments for hiccups already. It's just, most don't work effectively and none are universal.

My sceptical self tells me that this is nothing more than over sensationalized candy.


Hm, I wish her luck, but is it likely that kind of remedy really works? Never heard of those folk remedies. If it works, does it work better than eating a spoonful of sugar?


If HN could stop posting stories of teens and youngster geniuses creating greatness in the world, and making me inadequate as a person, that would be just swell. TIA.


Greatness?

"It's very rare, when you're evaluating businesses, that you can envision a company or product being around 100 years from now." Hiccupops is one them. "It solves a very simple, basic need."

My hiccups go away before I can complete an order for any products relating to hiccup relief. If you're a human being you can stand a few minutes of unpleasantness.


That's like saying there's no market for umbrellas since it will stop raining before I can order an umbrella, and any human being can stand a few minutes of getting wet.


I've seen it rain all day. I have never had hiccups all day.


When I was a student, I worked on a stall on a busy Dublin street and I sold tons of umbrellas on rainy days.


For people with cancer it's not so trivial.


This isn't a breakthrough product. It's just an "aww" story. Meant to be read by adults who will think it is cute. I commend the young girl for her creativity, though.




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: