Ask PG: Does smoking marijuana affect the ability to hack and run a startup? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask PG: Does smoking marijuana affect the ability to hack and run a startup?

#51

Post by pizza » Sat, Dec 28, 2013, 4:17 AM UTC

I don't have a problem with it (when I finish school I'll probably do that too). But it is a crutch. That said, feel free to use it until you feel like you no longer need to (or if it becomes counter-productive), just like a real crutch. Same applies to caffeine, adderall, cocaine, opiates, sugar, anything. If it gets to the point that you need help (fairly uncommon with pot, but it still happens), don't hesitate to get any.

Responsible drug use includes knowing how people respond to drugs, and knowing how you respond differently than other people to drugs...

Re: Ask PG: Does smoking marijuana affect the ability to hack and run a startup?

#52

Post by kordless » Sat, Dec 28, 2013, 4:21 AM UTC

maratd wrote: post #42

pokesmot wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"The only pot smokers I know and am aware of are burnt out, so they all will burn out! Oh and it's immature, whatever that means." Sorry for the snark, but when there's clearly a visibility problem, these one-off negative anecdotes given as universal observations and advice are nearly useless.

Look, I'm all for legalization, but let's not kid ourselves. Alcohol doesn't make you more sociable. Tobacco doesn't make you look cool. And weed doesn't help you relax. Or rather, all of the above certainly do that, but there are ample alternatives that do it better and have zero consequences for your health.

I'd hesitate to clump in alcohol and weed with tobacco use. Tobacco use is tied directly to increased risk of cancer. FWIW, there seems to be evidence that inflamation is a factor in some cancers: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1994795/. With alcohol, there have been studies that show consumption actually lowers stress and improves health.

Re: Ask PG: Does smoking marijuana affect the ability to hack and run a startup?

#53

Post by fleitz » Sat, Dec 28, 2013, 4:21 AM UTC

The OP is asking about 8 different questions...

Lets unpack some of them...

Will VCs be more likely to invest if they know you're a pot smoker? Unless they are also a pot smoker probably not. Pot is associated laziness.

Will VCs be more likely to invest in your crazy idea you had while high? If they don't know you had it while smoking pot then probably.

Is smoking pot good for writing bug free boiler plate code? Not in my experience.

Is smoking pot good for making revolutionary breakthoughs by approaching the problem from a new angle? Possibly.

Can you endear great engineers who smoke pot by having a 420 friendly culture? Most definitely.

Realistically, if you want to smoke pot then smoke pot. Your startup is a lottery ticket, smoking pot doesn't change the odds in any significant way. The asking for permission attitude seems more detrimental than pot smoking ever could be.

Re: Ask PG: Does smoking marijuana affect the ability to hack and run a startup?

#54

Post by ytdtty » Sat, Dec 28, 2013, 4:22 AM UTC

pokesmot wrote: post #14

I can't wait for people to come out of the closet on this issue. It's just like gay people. Ask anyone from CO or WA how many people have come out as private pot smokers. Can't wait for uninformed and inexperienced judgement that will be raining down in this thread. A bunch of people saying a bunch of ridiculous things that they'd never say if they knew how many people smoked around them and don't tell them. Same exa…

You sound hysterical.

Re: Ask PG: Does smoking marijuana affect the ability to hack and run a startup?

#55

Post by snoop_a_loop » Sat, Dec 28, 2013, 4:25 AM UTC

So retarded, seems my post got flagged. Mysterious dropped from the front page to page 3. Not sure why, there is some great discussion and feedback here. My biggest complaint about HN is that its not a true democracy, there are a few with god powers that influence all the content.

Re: Ask PG: Does smoking marijuana affect the ability to hack and run a startup?

#56

Post by fleitz » Sat, Dec 28, 2013, 4:30 AM UTC

Valid wrote: post #38

larrys wrote: post #21

"smoking weed actually is quite therapeutic. It is an outlet for stress and the never-ending wall of burden. Development and startups are evolving so fast, and it often feels like you are never adequate." My advice? I will fall back on the saying "if you can't take the heat stay out of the kitchen". There are many reasons why someone might have to medicate themselves if they have a situation that is not under their c…

I have to say, the idea of lowering my goals in light of increasing stress haunts me at night. It would be so easy (or at least it feels that way now) to just stop being ambitious and stop chasing the dream, as stress levels increase along with risks. I just can't do it. Even though it's intensely stressful at times, I think that striving for a grand goal is a part of who I am, in much the same way that my personal s…

  And he's tradin in his Chevy for
  A Cadillac ack ack ack ack ack
  You ought-a know by now
  If he can't drive with a broken back
  At least he can polish the fenders

Re: Ask PG: Does smoking marijuana affect the ability to hack and run a startup?

#57

Post by thenerdfiles » Sat, Dec 28, 2013, 4:32 AM UTC

thenerdfiles wrote: post #45

ShirtlessRod wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why would you smirk at people who eat lunch?

Well, I wanted to give a "frank" tit for tat, to anyone who might argue this "crutch" position. I personally enjoy the pain of hunger as I code. That's why. I smirk in that I more fully realize my difference from others when I know they clearly do not enjoy that pain. I'm surely not saying it makes me better or smarter. I smirk in that I, in a way, come to know myself better: that I enjoy the pain of hunger, and what…

Hm. I suppose that said it doesn't "go without saying." I'll recant there and say that I think leisure-lunching is, in my view, a kind of "crutch." Nourishment is essential, leisure is not.

Re: Ask PG: Does smoking marijuana affect the ability to hack and run a startup?

#58

Post by fredflintstone » Sat, Dec 28, 2013, 4:36 AM UTC

Believe that your high can come from coding stone cold sober. I can get so freakin high from rockin on some awesome shit. I'm poppin tictacs wih spearmint gum. Last I checked? (never) they don't cause short term mem-loss... As for start up stress - that's part of the gig you pay for trying to make a go of it. You need both of these to get through it: Fucking good friends and/or employees who have your back & seriously long term vision. Believe in what you're doing and you will succeed.

Re: Ask PG: Does smoking marijuana affect the ability to hack and run a startup?

#59

Post by JohnBooty » Sat, Dec 28, 2013, 4:44 AM UTC

Pot should be recreational, not something you need.

  It is an outlet for stress and the never-ending wall 
  of burden. Development and startups are evolving so 
  fast, and it often feels like you are never adequate. 
  You always need to be learning and using X new language 
  or technology.

I ran my own tiny business for a while and the "always on" syndrome was definitely the toughest aspect. Felt like I should always be doing something... 24/7/365.

It was very tough to disconnect my mind from work. It was exhausting and very tough on my personal relationships! I feel you there.

Thing is, pot is only ever (at best) treating your symptoms. It's not fixing any of the root causes of those symptoms, the things that are making you feel like you need to be always on.

1. Exercise, a good diet, and sleep may seem boring as hell but those are really how you strengthen your mind and body to deal with stress.

2. Also don't forget to feed your soul. Meditation, prayer, whatever works for you. I'm an atheist and there are lots of ways to meditate that don't involve believing in the supernatural.

3. Adding some structure may help with the "always on" angst. Make Wednesday afternoons or Sunday mornings (or whatever) the time when you play with new languages, so you don't feel like you have to be doing it 24/7.

4. Have a good note-taking system (moleskine, note app, whatever) so that you can record thoughts and to-dos, rather than having 50 things bouncing around in your head that feel like they need to be acted upon immediately lest you forget them. "Getting Things Done" is big on this; it's worth at least skimming that book for ideas because even if you don't adopt the whole system there is some seriously good shit in there you can poach.

Re: Ask PG: Does smoking marijuana affect the ability to hack and run a startup?

#60

Post by greenyoda » Sat, Dec 28, 2013, 4:46 AM UTC

snoop_a_loop wrote: post #3

dasht wrote: post #2

I think it is still taboo among most VC's and angels. Founders are supposed to be cookie-cutter stereotypes who fit a pre-established program. Your personality / public face can be "challenging" but not challenging, if you know what I mean.

Everybody accepts drinking coffee or caffeine, but its clearly "performance" improving. There is even a culture of providing adderall to employees if they want. Do investors frown upon those activities?

"There is even a culture of providing adderall to employees if they want."

Wouldn't that be putting the company and its management in a very risky situation? Distribution of controlled substances carries much higher penalties than mere possession. If a disgruntled employee calls in an anonymous tip to the cops, they might end up with a bunch of heavily armed cops kicking down their office door. Not so great for productivity...