Peter Thiel, YC, and hard decisions • Hacker News Board

Re: Peter Thiel, YC, and hard decisions

#11

Post by sparkling » Mon, Oct 17, 2016, 5:49 PM UTC

> His attacks on Black, Mexican, Asian, Muslim, and Jewish people, on women, and on others are more than just political speech

Oh please. What a fucking joke. You might just make

[] I voted for Hillary and fully accept the liberal Silicon Valley virtue signalling circlejerking

a checkbox on the next YC application.

Re: Peter Thiel, YC, and hard decisions

#12

Post by ivraatiems » Mon, Oct 17, 2016, 5:50 PM UTC

dfabulich wrote: post #9

There is clear precedent for YC taking a political stand by uninviting investors. Only five years ago, Paul Graham was willing to uninvite investors from Demo Day based on their support for the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA). https://techcrunch.com/2011/12/22/paul-graham-sopa-supportin... Paul asked, "If these companies are so clueless about technology that they think SOPA is a good idea, how could they be good invest…

I was wondering whether there was precedence for something like this. If there is, then I think YC should distance themselves from Thiel now. I agree with those who say he's a long-term harm to the industry; I do take issue, generally, with dismissing someone over their personal politics, but sometimes those stances create problems in the company that can't be overcome.

Re: Peter Thiel, YC, and hard decisions

#13

Post by yanilkr » Mon, Oct 17, 2016, 5:50 PM UTC

No matter who you are or what you are trying to succeed in tech industry, How about you make news for accomplishments like Peter Theil?

Re: Peter Thiel, YC, and hard decisions

#14

Post by MBCook » Mon, Oct 17, 2016, 5:51 PM UTC

Overtonwindow wrote: post #5

Nope. Not Ellen Pao. In my humble opinion she has zero credibility and I don't think she is a voice for the tech community. I mean at all.

So just because she says something it's worthless? Did you bother to see if the point she was making made any sense?

Re: Peter Thiel, YC, and hard decisions

#15

Post by jimsojim » Mon, Oct 17, 2016, 5:51 PM UTC

I keep getting back to this thought that a lot of what Peter does is to make a point about contrarianism - that is to stay a consistent contrarian (publicly atleast).

Re: Peter Thiel, YC, and hard decisions

#16

Post by natrius » Mon, Oct 17, 2016, 5:52 PM UTC

Cleaving off 40% of America is not a recipe for progress. When Trump shows his people how they're getting blacklisted from the economy, that isn't going to make them want to riot less. Our culture of progress has become entirely about excluding dissenters until they submit, and it's not working anymore. We've given up on convincing the people who have all the weapons, and now we're going to start hurting them economically. Good luck, y'all.

Re: Peter Thiel, YC, and hard decisions

#17

Post by Overtonwindow » Mon, Oct 17, 2016, 5:52 PM UTC

MBCook wrote: post #14

Overtonwindow wrote: post #5

Nope. Not Ellen Pao. In my humble opinion she has zero credibility and I don't think she is a voice for the tech community. I mean at all.

So just because she says something it's worthless? Did you bother to see if the point she was making made any sense?

If it had been anyone else I would have read with more interest and sincerity. I'm not arguing with her message, I'm stating my opinion, that Ellen Pao has zero credibility in the tech community, and should be just as disregarded as Trump.

Re: Peter Thiel, YC, and hard decisions

#18

Post by vowelless » Mon, Oct 17, 2016, 5:53 PM UTC

> but we draw a line at individuals who fund violence and hate.

(removing video as valid concerns were raised)

Although, isn't there evidence that more violence has occurred against trump supporters than anyone else?

I am not a supporter by any measure (for one, I'm form the middle east), but I'm trying to understand Paos quote.

Re: Peter Thiel, YC, and hard decisions

#19

Post by ivraatiems » Mon, Oct 17, 2016, 5:53 PM UTC

Overtonwindow wrote: post #17

MBCook wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So just because she says something it's worthless? Did you bother to see if the point she was making made any sense?

If it had been anyone else I would have read with more interest and sincerity. I'm not arguing with her message, I'm stating my opinion, that Ellen Pao has zero credibility in the tech community, and should be just as disregarded as Trump.

That's not a serious argument. People you dislike can be right. Hypocrites can be right. Hell, even Trump is right on some issues. That doesn't mean I like him or will vote for him.

Re: Peter Thiel, YC, and hard decisions

#20

Post by Overtonwindow » Mon, Oct 17, 2016, 5:53 PM UTC

natrius wrote: post #16

Cleaving off 40% of America is not a recipe for progress. When Trump shows his people how they're getting blacklisted from the economy, that isn't going to make them want to riot less . Our culture of progress has become entirely about excluding dissenters until they submit, and it's not working anymore . We've given up on convincing the people who have all the weapons, and now we're going to start hurting them econo…

Excellent point.