I'm not planning on writing a book about this revelation ;) so I wasn't aiming to be novel.
That said, I think you're right on about habituation combating the anxiety of meeting and talking to new people. I'm a rather ambivalent about the value of all these web 2.0 meetups (yes, even drankkit) but I envisioned this kind of scenario:
Startup founder is waiting in line at SFO, looks up to see Ron Conway (or the like) standing in front of him and looking equally as bored. It's probably not the time to go into the pitch, but it shouldn't be how many startups he's funded/sold/acquired that stops you from talking to him (or anyone).
That said, I think you're right on about habituation combating the anxiety of meeting and talking to new people. I'm a rather ambivalent about the value of all these web 2.0 meetups (yes, even drankkit) but I envisioned this kind of scenario:
Startup founder is waiting in line at SFO, looks up to see Ron Conway (or the like) standing in front of him and looking equally as bored. It's probably not the time to go into the pitch, but it shouldn't be how many startups he's funded/sold/acquired that stops you from talking to him (or anyone).
Maybe you'll even score his phone number.