Why the Instagram founders really quit • Hacker News Board

Re: Why the Instagram founders really quit

#61

Post by kbenson » Wed, Apr 17, 2019, 3:49 PM UTC

jackfrodo wrote: post #34

morley wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The linked Verge article has some strange editorialization in it. I find it confusing, because I'm not sure what they're getting at. > Systrom then immediately peaced out for a few months of paternity leave. > With Systrom on leave, Facebook began testing location tracking and a disgusting hamburger button inside Instagram, offending Systrom’s delicate sensibilities. Is the author saying that Systrom was being to sen…

The primary definition of delicate: fine in texture, quality, construction, etc.: a delicate lace collar. I read it as a compliment. If he had said "delicate ego" it'd be a different story.

Delicate is synonymous with "fragile". Delicate lace collars are fine when in appropriate context, but that context is fairly narrow (when you know it will be protected enough to survive).

As for people, I don't think our culture values fragility in an individual. Conversely, we definitely do value resilience. I'm not sure of a case where you could refer to a physical or mental aspect of someone as delicate or fragile (when it's relative to the norm where it's not) and it comes out positive.

Re: Why the Instagram founders really quit

#62

Post by CharlesColeman » Wed, Apr 17, 2019, 3:50 PM UTC

JustSomeNobody wrote: post #35

blunte wrote: post #26

I predict that Zuckerburg, when he's old and seeking new prestige, will abandon his (dirty) capitalistic activities and take on the philanthropist persona that many other tech giants (who we often forget the dirty methods they used to reach their heights) have. The EU, with its often absurd laws (re: link tax, cookie rules) may be the only threat to the juggernaut that Facebook is (and by extension, the power that a…

> ... and take on the philanthropist persona that many other tech giants (who we often forget the dirty methods they used to reach their heights) have. No, I think he'll be like the ones who don't. He'll take on some expensive hobby and claim it is for the greater good.

> No, I think he'll be like the ones who don't. He'll take on some expensive hobby and claim it is for the greater good.

So less Bill Gates and more Larry Ellison?

I once watched a Youtube video about OpenSolaris where and ex-Sun Engineer stated the only times Larry Ellison has donated to charity were to 1) settle a lawsuit, and 2) fund research into the extension of his own life.

Re: Why the Instagram founders really quit

#63

Post by nostrademons » Wed, Apr 17, 2019, 3:55 PM UTC

bitL wrote: post #47

Who wants Mark out? Too many critical articles from many angles recently, somebody on FB's board must be eager to get rid of him.

At this point Zuckerburg has pissed off much of America. Doesn't have to be an insider; there are plenty of outsiders that would love to see him gone and can bankroll a few media hatchet jobs.

It probably also doesn't help that Facebook has turned most media outlets into digital sharecroppers fighting for reshares, and they know it. Big Tech in general is not popular within the media, because they've essentially destroyed the media's business model and took most of it for themselves.

Re: Why the Instagram founders really quit

#64

Post by mbesto » Wed, Apr 17, 2019, 3:57 PM UTC

mathattack wrote: post #11

chmod775 wrote: post #2

So they crippled a better performing product to protect a lesser product - or rather to protect some egos. I refuse to believe they are that stupid.

Never underestimate the importance of ego. :-) Companies frequently make bad acquisitions due to the ego of the founder. (This is not an example) Other times founders spike the pet projects of their rivals.

M&A guy here - I concur. People would be amazed to know that there is a non-zero number of situations where companies get acquired for non-financial reasons.

Re: Why the Instagram founders really quit

#65

Post by EpicEng » Wed, Apr 17, 2019, 3:57 PM UTC

isoskeles wrote: post #57

strict9 wrote: post #27

Instagram remains enormously popular because it's not exclusively 1:1 mutual relationships, has a minimal interface/feature set, and most importantly isn't easily susceptible to outrage and anger gawking like twitter/FB are. They can keep adding hamburgers and FB thirst traps but as long as they don't mess with central idea (big photos only with captions) they won't cede share any time soon.

> FB thirst traps What is this referring to?

I assume ways to get you to shovel your data to FB via IG.

Re: Why the Instagram founders really quit

#66

Post by strict9 » Wed, Apr 17, 2019, 4:01 PM UTC

isoskeles wrote: post #57

strict9 wrote: post #27

Instagram remains enormously popular because it's not exclusively 1:1 mutual relationships, has a minimal interface/feature set, and most importantly isn't easily susceptible to outrage and anger gawking like twitter/FB are. They can keep adding hamburgers and FB thirst traps but as long as they don't mess with central idea (big photos only with captions) they won't cede share any time soon.

> FB thirst traps What is this referring to?

They've given more and more nudges over the years to funnel people from IG back to FB. I have no idea but doubtful it's working, just smells of desperation.

>badged notifications inside Instagram begging people to open Facebook being maybe the most prominent example.

https://www.theverge.com/2018/9/25/17903556/instagram-founde...

Re: Why the Instagram founders really quit

#67

Post by jonathankoren » Wed, Apr 17, 2019, 4:08 PM UTC

morley wrote: post #28

ineedasername wrote: post #23

This article was based on another one written by Wired. [0] That much longer article is well worth the read for a more in-depth look at the politics and challenges that Facebook has gone through recently. [0] https://www.wired.com/story/facebook-mark-zuckerberg-15-mont...

The linked Verge article has some strange editorialization in it. I find it confusing, because I'm not sure what they're getting at. > Systrom then immediately peaced out for a few months of paternity leave. > With Systrom on leave, Facebook began testing location tracking and a disgusting hamburger button inside Instagram, offending Systrom’s delicate sensibilities. Is the author saying that Systrom was being to sen…

No. They’re saying Systrom finds the hamburger menu is ugly, crude, and completely out of place on Instagram.

Re: Why the Instagram founders really quit

#68

Post by chillacy » Wed, Apr 17, 2019, 4:10 PM UTC

bitL wrote: post #47

Who wants Mark out? Too many critical articles from many angles recently, somebody on FB's board must be eager to get rid of him.

Yea good question, who wants him out? The journalists, a lot of people, but probably not the shareholders.

Re: Why the Instagram founders really quit

#69

Post by chillacy » Wed, Apr 17, 2019, 4:13 PM UTC

blunte wrote: post #26

I predict that Zuckerburg, when he's old and seeking new prestige, will abandon his (dirty) capitalistic activities and take on the philanthropist persona that many other tech giants (who we often forget the dirty methods they used to reach their heights) have. The EU, with its often absurd laws (re: link tax, cookie rules) may be the only threat to the juggernaut that Facebook is (and by extension, the power that a…

Back when his reputation wasn’t so low: https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.businessinsider.com/mark-zu...

Re: Why the Instagram founders really quit

#70

Post by QuercusMax » Wed, Apr 17, 2019, 4:22 PM UTC

morley wrote: post #28

ineedasername wrote: post #23

This article was based on another one written by Wired. [0] That much longer article is well worth the read for a more in-depth look at the politics and challenges that Facebook has gone through recently. [0] https://www.wired.com/story/facebook-mark-zuckerberg-15-mont...

The linked Verge article has some strange editorialization in it. I find it confusing, because I'm not sure what they're getting at. > Systrom then immediately peaced out for a few months of paternity leave. > With Systrom on leave, Facebook began testing location tracking and a disgusting hamburger button inside Instagram, offending Systrom’s delicate sensibilities. Is the author saying that Systrom was being to sen…

"Offending one's delicate sensibilities" is a stock phrase. It's generally used in a tongue-in-cheek/mocking manner, referring to someone who is being overly dramatic; often used together with phrases like "clutching one's pearls".

I think they're mocking both Facebook and Systrom at the same time.