Every time i read something like this, I think about the fred wilson quote about being someone's bitch. Anyone have that direct link?
I was once a Facebook fool
61–70 of 177 posts
Re: I was once a Facebook fool
#62I once worked for a startup that got screwed trying to build a Facebook music platform - promised the world, then the rug was pulled out from under us (by both the labels and FB, and our two major investors were the labels themselves... it was quite ridiculous). I think we were probably just a pawn used as leverage for their negotiations with other players. Anyway, yeah, I have little doubt that this story is legit.
Heres a link that may help to debate your doubts:
http://www.allfacebook.com/talking-with-facebooks-music-mast...
Re: I was once a Facebook fool
#63Sharecropper woes: http://www.tbray.org/ongoing/When/200x/2003/07/12/WebsThePla... http://raganwald.posterous.com/the-freedom-to-eat-pizza http://weblog.raganwald.com/2004/11/sharecropping-in-orchard...
Great links, Reg! That said, here is good opportunity to prosper on other peoples' platforms, but diversify.
And when Facebook says to either remove your widget from Google+, or it will be removed from Facebook?
Diversification is at their pleasure too.
Re: I was once a Facebook fool
#64I’m not saying the author is wrong here but I think he’s unfair in attacking just Facebook. The one thing I learned from my time in the valley is that EVERYONE is looking out for themselves. That isn’t meant as negatively as it sounds. People go there to prove themselves. Either by making money or making their mark on the world (which is why people like Sean Parker stick around even after they’ve made money). But wha…
You can look out for yourself without lying, cheating, or backstabbing others. You can operate as a moral, ethical person, and not have to mislead people, or break your promises. Looking out for yourself is not the problem, dishonesty is. This becomes a bigger problem when dishonesty becomes part of the culture.
I'll agree with outright lying in that a person knowingly lying to another person is wrong. But with the rest I'm not sure I can agree.
Because again the Valley is a kill or be killed environment. The assumption is that others will look out for themselves. So, for example, if someone were to promise me something I'd ask for a contract. If I don't get a contract I'd assume that person was planning to violate that promise some day. Because that's how that environment works.
And I'm not sure it could be any other way. Because the stakes are so high. It is human nature for people to forgive themselves if they feel they're acting for a higher cause. So if that person believes their company will make them billions of dollars and make the world a better place then they're likely to forgive themselves for telling a lie here or there.
It may not be right but it's the way the world works (and honestly it's why I don't live there anymore)
Re: I was once a Facebook fool
#65I agree with, But it also means that in this industry you have to have a backup plan of some sort. He knew the character of Sean Parker and his antics. The man is a player and always will be.The industry is a relentless field of battle. Doesn't excuse leading someone on though.
i know to well of having a business partner lead me on while he worked other projects.
But i dont think Facebook as a company should take all the blame for that one person.
Re: I was once a Facebook fool
#66I’m not saying the author is wrong here but I think he’s unfair in attacking just Facebook. The one thing I learned from my time in the valley is that EVERYONE is looking out for themselves. That isn’t meant as negatively as it sounds. People go there to prove themselves. Either by making money or making their mark on the world (which is why people like Sean Parker stick around even after they’ve made money). But wha…
Steve Blank feels otherwise: http://steveblank.com/2011/09/15/the-pay-it-forward-culture/
You don't have to be Machiavellian to succeed.
Re: I was once a Facebook fool
#67I’m not saying the author is wrong here but I think he’s unfair in attacking just Facebook. The one thing I learned from my time in the valley is that EVERYONE is looking out for themselves. That isn’t meant as negatively as it sounds. People go there to prove themselves. Either by making money or making their mark on the world (which is why people like Sean Parker stick around even after they’ve made money). But wha…
You can look out for yourself without lying, cheating, or backstabbing others. You can operate as a moral, ethical person, and not have to mislead people, or break your promises. Looking out for yourself is not the problem, dishonesty is. This becomes a bigger problem when dishonesty becomes part of the culture.
Agreed. And as a San Francisco startup guy for a dozen years, that balance between honesty and self-interest is generally what I have seen here. There are assholes wherever you go, but I've benefited a lot from the relatively collaborative environment here, and try to give back in turn.
Re: I was once a Facebook fool
#68It seems like doing any sort of business around the Music Industry is a massive pain in the head, and liable to get you sued/shut down easily.
This is true.Being originally from the Bronx NY i have been in connection with a few people who know how FAT JOE does business.
Allegedly Puerto Rican and African American rappers from the Bronx were getting signed to FAT JOES label and then being kept on the back burner for publication.
Turns out the plan was to make sure to not have any new rap icons come from the Bronx so that he can get all the notoriety of being the Bronx icon. The music business is no joke. This is a true story.
Re: I was once a Facebook fool
#69Earlier quoted context omitted.
Sharecropping is kind of a weird analogy to use here. In farming, sharecropping is the low risk way to grow your business. It is the landlord that takes on much of the burden if the crop fails. But with small risk comes small reward. In technology, "sharecropping" is the high risk venture. The landlord here assumes no risk at all if your application fails. The burden falls squarely on you. However, with the high risk…
I disagree; I think the analogy is apt. You lack the resource to grow your business, so you borrow someone else's and operate at their whim. Contracts aside, the sharecropper's entire livelihood could be undermined on the whim of the landowner. Someone else has power over your ability to produce.
Not at all. Sharecroppers are typically protected by contract law; landlords can't just arbitrarily evict them in the middle of the growing season. By contrast Facebook can change their API or terms of service at any time. Facebook developers have no way to seek redress (except the court of public opinion).
Re: I was once a Facebook fool
#70It's not especially interesting that Facebook made a deal for a music app (and subsequently supported that deal over a competitor). This is business, not charity.
What's interesting to me is that iLike -- the success story of early platform days -- was being promoted heavily from within Facebook itself. If you read the press at that time, you'd have been excused for thinking that the Partovi brothers were the victims of a random lightning strike -- just two guys who got lucky with a tiny little app. I know that in Seattle, everyone was buzzing about how iLike was caught so "unaware" by their traction that they were borrowing servers from local companies just to keep up. Now it turns out that the "overnight success" was at least somewhat pre-ordained.
It's just another bit of practical evidence about the origins of business success in the Valley. Your rolodex matters a lot.