Live data from Hacker News

Could The Rebellion Against Traditional Publishing Actually Work?

sebastianmarshall.com

41–48 of 48 posts

Re: Could The Rebellion Against Traditional Publishing Actually Work?

#41

I think Sebastian really is the next Tim Ferriss, but not at all in a good way. I think he's all talk and almost no results, and he's trying to spin that into a success that then justifies him tooting his own horn as a "strategist" (what the fuck?). All over his blog, all over his comments on HN, he makes himself out to be this amazing business guru, juggling 27 world-changing projects at a time, upending major indus…

This is the most important line in your comment -

> Put your head down and fucking build something, then you can write a book in ten or twenty years and tell us about it.

Because it shows how you think. "How dare you! Put your head down and grind for 20 years!! That's how it's done!"

No, really. It doesn't take grinding for 10 to 20 years to make a meaningful impact on the world.

> And if I'm way off and you really are what you portray yourself as, post some fucking proof.

Ok, I tell you what. How much are you going to donate to my orphanage if I post some proof - a contract, a bank statement, something like that. You tell me what proof is, but you also tell me what you're going to do to eat shit after I give you your proof, and you're on.

Re: Could The Rebellion Against Traditional Publishing Actually Work?

#42

I think Sebastian really is the next Tim Ferriss, but not at all in a good way. I think he's all talk and almost no results, and he's trying to spin that into a success that then justifies him tooting his own horn as a "strategist" (what the fuck?). All over his blog, all over his comments on HN, he makes himself out to be this amazing business guru, juggling 27 world-changing projects at a time, upending major indus…

This is the most important line in your comment - > Put your head down and fucking build something, then you can write a book in ten or twenty years and tell us about it. Because it shows how you think. "How dare you! Put your head down and grind for 20 years !! That's how it's done! " No, really. It doesn't take grinding for 10 to 20 years to make a meaningful impact on the world. > And if I'm way off and you really…

Sad. You won't stop running your mouth about how impressive you are, but when asked for some proof or evidence of any kind, you immediately go on the defensive. Why don't we already have the evidence? It's definitely not modesty. And the publicity would only help your projects. The only reason you haven't posted any kind of proof or evidence of your outlandish claims of building an empire is because you're all hot air. All hat, no cattle.

So I'll donate whatever you like to your orphanage, if it exists. As in, if you have an orphanage that you own or created or sponsor at least mostly by yourself. But you don't. You probably have plans for one, but that's all.

Seriously, you're a smart guy with a lot of passion and ideas. But you haven't actually done anything, and every time I read a word of what you've written, I roll my eyes because you're such a blowhard. And with no justification.

The biggest thing in all of this S&S story that makes me think the publishing industry might be on the verge of collapse is that they agreed to publish the first book of a self-described strategist with no track record, no experience, no nothing. But it sounds like you helped them solve that problem.

Re: Could The Rebellion Against Traditional Publishing Actually Work?

#43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is the most important line in your comment - > Put your head down and fucking build something, then you can write a book in ten or twenty years and tell us about it. Because it shows how you think. "How dare you! Put your head down and grind for 20 years !! That's how it's done! " No, really. It doesn't take grinding for 10 to 20 years to make a meaningful impact on the world. > And if I'm way off and you really…

Sad. You won't stop running your mouth about how impressive you are, but when asked for some proof or evidence of any kind, you immediately go on the defensive. Why don't we already have the evidence? It's definitely not modesty. And the publicity would only help your projects. The only reason you haven't posted any kind of proof or evidence of your outlandish claims of building an empire is because you're all hot ai…

> So I'll donate whatever you like to your orphanage, if it exists.

How much?

When?

Write that up and sign in your real name.

It's not built yet. I just hired an architect for $17,000. What do you want to wager here, say, $1,000 of your money?

You can write the check directly to her. She's got all those wonderful credentials and degrees that you worship.

Write it up and sign it, man, and it's on. The reason I don't post company names by the way is I'm talking about going to whorehouses, doing videos without my shirt on, etc. If I was working with, say, Goldman Sachs, you think they'd like me publicly posting that on the internet for your sake?

Anyways. Duh. But if you're in for a grand, I'll go get my architect's info for you, and you can have a nice conversation with her. Write it and sign it your own name, put it into escrow contingent on... whatever stage you like of the orphanage getting there. It's for charity. I'll put my money where my mouth is, you do the same.

Re: Could The Rebellion Against Traditional Publishing Actually Work?

#44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sad. You won't stop running your mouth about how impressive you are, but when asked for some proof or evidence of any kind, you immediately go on the defensive. Why don't we already have the evidence? It's definitely not modesty. And the publicity would only help your projects. The only reason you haven't posted any kind of proof or evidence of your outlandish claims of building an empire is because you're all hot ai…

> So I'll donate whatever you like to your orphanage, if it exists. How much? When? Write that up and sign in your real name. It's not built yet. I just hired an architect for $17,000. What do you want to wager here, say, $1,000 of your money? You can write the check directly to her. She's got all those wonderful credentials and degrees that you worship. Write it up and sign it, man, and it's on. The reason I don't p…

And... no answer.

I'm going to go get on a plane to Taipei now. You said you'll donate whatever I like? An even 10K would be very appreciated, and then I'll take whatever time you like walking you through proof of everything. I'll bring proof of my flights too if you want that. The next step from you is emailing me a document signed with your real name saying you're going to donate in consideration for me spending my time walking you through everything I'm doing -- and I'll actually do it. I doubt I'll hear from you, though, "stillhatin."

Re: Could The Rebellion Against Traditional Publishing Actually Work?

#45
Sabastian, this battle with S&S is nothing. The real battle is inside of you.

You are a smart and interesting person with a lot of weapons. Call a cease-fire. Refocus your mind and observe your inner space. Then make a decision that will help as many people as possible.

Happy holidays and a peaceful 2012!

Re: Could The Rebellion Against Traditional Publishing Actually Work?

#46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sad. You won't stop running your mouth about how impressive you are, but when asked for some proof or evidence of any kind, you immediately go on the defensive. Why don't we already have the evidence? It's definitely not modesty. And the publicity would only help your projects. The only reason you haven't posted any kind of proof or evidence of your outlandish claims of building an empire is because you're all hot ai…

> So I'll donate whatever you like to your orphanage, if it exists. How much? When? Write that up and sign in your real name. It's not built yet. I just hired an architect for $17,000. What do you want to wager here, say, $1,000 of your money? You can write the check directly to her. She's got all those wonderful credentials and degrees that you worship. Write it up and sign it, man, and it's on. The reason I don't p…

Haha...awesome. So there actually is no orphanage. What a surprise.

Re: Could The Rebellion Against Traditional Publishing Actually Work?

#47

I think Sebastian really is the next Tim Ferriss, but not at all in a good way. I think he's all talk and almost no results, and he's trying to spin that into a success that then justifies him tooting his own horn as a "strategist" (what the fuck?). All over his blog, all over his comments on HN, he makes himself out to be this amazing business guru, juggling 27 world-changing projects at a time, upending major indus…

HOLY. SHIT.

I'd like to retract my Tim Ferris comments. While I think he's a little self-promotion-ey without having done much, he's a genuinely nice guy and a good marketer. And comparing him to Sebastian is not at all apt, I've just realized.

I hadn't actually watched your videos, Sebastian. You need help. Not like a life coach, but a real therapist, probably one who can prescribe medication. You genuinely have a screw loose or something. Did you seriously curse out your agent (for what felt like hours) because you had trouble coordinating a time to do a skype call?!?

And then you made a movie with your shirt off, ranting at the executives at S&S and at your agent about how you're going to destroy them all?

I know you think you're this crazy wildcard guy and you're hated by most and loved by a few, but you're wrong. You're a crazy wildcard guy, but you're about as unprofessional as I can imagine and you're never going to have a positive impact in the world unless you get the help you need.

I've met and worked with hundreds of true professionals over the years, and I don't know of any that would work with you after seeing a stunt like this. Apparently if someone you're working with fails to return an email fast enough, they'll be treated to a video of a shirtless pudgy guy telling them to fuck off on youtube. Not exactly confidence-inspiring.

Seek help.

Re: Could The Rebellion Against Traditional Publishing Actually Work?

#48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> So I'll donate whatever you like to your orphanage, if it exists. How much? When? Write that up and sign in your real name. It's not built yet. I just hired an architect for $17,000. What do you want to wager here, say, $1,000 of your money? You can write the check directly to her. She's got all those wonderful credentials and degrees that you worship. Write it up and sign it, man, and it's on. The reason I don't p…

Haha...awesome. So there actually is no orphanage. What a surprise.

Hmm. Although I haven't watched the videos myself, and am reserving judgement, I'll note that your own quote says he "hired an architect to build an orphanage in Ulaanbaatar," which is exactly what he repeated in the above comment.
Post reply on HN