I notice quite a few folks can’t yet seperate the work they do, the hobbies they enjoy, and the startups they are working on, from opinions, perspectives and general insights.
There is a danger when you keep piping and talking about your work, and startup in a general discussion, because (a) its really obnoxious and is self-promoting, and (b) God forbid someone wants to add or disagree or wants to challenge that viewpoint, its no longer a discussion on viewpoints, but quickly gets very very personal.
Don’t bring your emotional baggage to a discussion, especially to one where its titled “general” in bold. If someone wants to know something about ecommerce and you ran a venture in the space, talk about the industry, your reading of it, and quote very specific examples when you are trying to back an insight. Blindly engulfing yourself in the cloak of your startup and throwing yourself there, is either going to get your feelings hurt, or curb an open discussion. Neither of which are good for communities, to openly talk, share and learn.
PS: When the waking hours of your day are spent working on a startup and that becomes the centre of your attention to nurse, and nurture, it is usually “natural” that thats all you can talk about. Times like that, go to a community meet – online or offline – and just shut up and listen. Enjoy the change of pace and the two steps back perspective. You might even have an Eureka moment