Early epiphanies as a late cofounder • Hacker News Board

Re: Early epiphanies as a late cofounder

#11

Post by lsc » Sun, Dec 02, 2012, 6:52 AM UTC

EdwardMSmith wrote: post #9

I fear this is going to be taken poorly, but this really made an impression on me. This is not a criticism of the author, nor really a condemnation of the lifestyle depicted - but only an observation. I find the "Myths of The Valley" both very interesting and very frustrating. This is about the Myth, not about the author. This reads like a religious testimony, or a classic Campbell myth. It begins with scripture from…

Yup. But every age has it's storytelling style. Right now, I'm reading Grant's memoirs; It's extremely self-effacing; He speaks of some of his more heroic moments as a young commissioned officer as if he was walking home from the grocery store. The book has interjections marked "PUBLISHER:" where it is explained that he received this or that medal or recognition for this heroic action that he had just described in such a humble manner.

Your storytelling style will effect who your story appeals to. I mean, great storytellers can transcend styles, but for most of us? we're writin' form letters. And really? there's nothing wrong with that.

(I do think there is something wrong with the 'all nighter' myth, especially when told to people too young to know that it's a lie, but it's largely inseparable from the silicon valley mythos.)

Re: Early epiphanies as a late cofounder

#12

Post by aheadofthegame » Sun, Dec 02, 2012, 8:45 AM UTC

cijdl584 wrote: post #10

EdwardMSmith wrote: post #9

I fear this is going to be taken poorly, but this really made an impression on me. This is not a criticism of the author, nor really a condemnation of the lifestyle depicted - but only an observation. I find the "Myths of The Valley" both very interesting and very frustrating. This is about the Myth, not about the author. This reads like a religious testimony, or a classic Campbell myth. It begins with scripture from…

That was incredibly interesting! The blog is mine, by the way. I'm incredibly flattered that you made such an in depth analysis; frankly I wrote it as nothing more than a happy rant and wanted to share with some fellow hackers and entrepreneurs. I agree with the sentiment that the Myth of the Valley is interesting and frustrating. Mainly though, I think it gives many smart people a strong sense of purpose (not unlike…

A sense of purpose is generally a good thing. If it is determined by social pressure, conformity, uninformed emotions, etc. then it is risky. If it is determined by deep introspection in light of a well rounded understanding of human nature, then it is much more likely to last. It is difficult to be very introspective, however, without some life experience. Most people, I think, are not prone to figuring that stuff out totally in the abstract.

Re: Early epiphanies as a late cofounder

#13

Post by Domenic_S » Sun, Dec 02, 2012, 10:51 AM UTC

EdwardMSmith wrote: post #9

I fear this is going to be taken poorly, but this really made an impression on me. This is not a criticism of the author, nor really a condemnation of the lifestyle depicted - but only an observation. I find the "Myths of The Valley" both very interesting and very frustrating. This is about the Myth, not about the author. This reads like a religious testimony, or a classic Campbell myth. It begins with scripture from…

Nice analysis. This statement jumped out at me:

> This week I worked 15 hour days and was disappointed when I got too tired and had to sleep.

Examples of this are everywhere. First date with an exciting girl. New video game. Reunions with old friends. I challenge the author's conclusion that this is a sign that he's made the right career move -- more likely, it's a sign that he's gotten out of his rut.

That's not a bad thing, by the way. But remember, switching jobs is almost always exciting for us hackery types. More generally, a novel environment will usually produce excess excitement.