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Unfortunately, there is a bit too much unstated assumption of "just be lucky (fortunate) as hell in multiple metrics from an incredibly young age." This seriously undermines the value of this advice for at least 99% of people.
> Jack: I'm Jack, Sam's brother, and we are here in our backyard, where we also live with our other brother. Wait do all three of you live together in one house in your 30s? That's awesome! EDIT: Just to be clear, this comment is in no way intended to be sarcastic! I really think it's amazing for three brothers to live together in their 30s. The notion that each has to go their separate way after one turns 18/21/25 i…
Now as an adult I've moved to the US, where it's much more common to move far from your family. I grew up expecting that I would always have my close family near, and I still struggle with the fact that's probably not going to be the case.
I would absolutely love to live near or with my brother and parents still. Definitely would need a way that would allow us to have private spaces when we want, but I miss being able to see close family with just 30 minutes of traveling.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
If one did state that assumption, is there something useful one can then say about how to be lucky? Or can you give an example of a "here's how I succeeded at something, the same strategies might work for you" article that addresses luck in an actionable way?
There are actually studies that quantify some of the differences in behavior between people who are lucky and people who are not. I think the actionable advice here wouod have to do with what pre-conditions must exist before this advice is meaningful and useful. Having some idea of what kind of situation you must create for yourself first would make it easier for people to recognize whether or not this advice can be…
Unfortunately, there is a bit too much unstated assumption of "just be lucky (fortunate) as hell in multiple metrics from an incredibly young age." This seriously undermines the value of this advice for at least 99% of people.
One of the hardest things to accept about life is that there are no guarantees. You play with the hand you're dealt.
Across 5 funding rounds, Crunchbase lists Loopt as having raised $39 million and then was acquired (acqui-hired?) for $43 million. He didn't create any multiples of value for his investors. Loopt wasn't a breakout hit like so many other YC startups have been. It was certainly one of the first interesting location-based apps in the App Store, but soon was surrounded by other location-based apps and never really appeared to surface and gain traction.
Obviously Sam runs YC now and has dramatically improved it, but in the lens of being an entrepreneur, isn't he still essentially unproven, and not a success story in the startup world?
Earlier quoted context omitted.
There are actually studies that quantify some of the differences in behavior between people who are lucky and people who are not. I think the actionable advice here wouod have to do with what pre-conditions must exist before this advice is meaningful and useful. Having some idea of what kind of situation you must create for yourself first would make it easier for people to recognize whether or not this advice can be…
Would love to read these studies, do you have some references?
I'm sure this will get downvoted into oblivion, but why should I or other engineers/entrepreneurs look at Sam Altman as a massive startup success story when his lone startup Loopt never really achieved product-market fit, and ended up in a firesale? Across 5 funding rounds, Crunchbase lists Loopt as having raised $39 million and then was acquired (acqui-hired?) for $43 million. He didn't create any multiples of value…
A lot of "heroes" in this world are fairly fraudulent. Worse, some went from young tech luminaries to older VC sharks with questionable ethics like Mark Andreeson.
I think coding and tech, in general, is mostly a meritocracy, but on the business end its practically the lottery. Right time, right place and other luck of the draws determine financial success just as much as the merit of the product, if not more so.
I'm sure this will get downvoted into oblivion, but why should I or other engineers/entrepreneurs look at Sam Altman as a massive startup success story when his lone startup Loopt never really achieved product-market fit, and ended up in a firesale? Across 5 funding rounds, Crunchbase lists Loopt as having raised $39 million and then was acquired (acqui-hired?) for $43 million. He didn't create any multiples of value…
Tbh this advice reads like a brainwash in making yourself more exploitable.
I'm sure this will get downvoted into oblivion, but why should I or other engineers/entrepreneurs look at Sam Altman as a massive startup success story when his lone startup Loopt never really achieved product-market fit, and ended up in a firesale? Across 5 funding rounds, Crunchbase lists Loopt as having raised $39 million and then was acquired (acqui-hired?) for $43 million. He didn't create any multiples of value…
I remember reading PG saying that Sama is one of the brightest entrepreneurs he has met, and I always wanted to hear the backstory since Loopt is the only data point we have from the outside.
I'm sure this will get downvoted into oblivion, but why should I or other engineers/entrepreneurs look at Sam Altman as a massive startup success story when his lone startup Loopt never really achieved product-market fit, and ended up in a firesale? Across 5 funding rounds, Crunchbase lists Loopt as having raised $39 million and then was acquired (acqui-hired?) for $43 million. He didn't create any multiples of value…
I think I've learned a lot from working closely with entrepreneurs that run massively successful companies that's worth sharing.
If you disagree, no one is making you watch this. You're free to hit the back button.