Announcement: YC alumni will help us read applications • Hacker News Board

Re: Announcement: YC alumni will help us read applications

#111

Post by tianaco » Wed, Oct 28, 2009, 9:41 PM UTC

jlm382 wrote: post #107

tianaco wrote: post #41

I feel like this is going to work against me - in a really serious way. First of all, I really liked knowing that I had a one in three chance of a woman, Jessica Livingston, reading my application. I liked how the application felt like a college application; they judge you based upon your potential and what you've done in your circumstances, not like an investor who says: "What experience and traction do you have?".…

As a female in the tech industry, I actually don't think anyone has been sexist towards me - at least not in any way that has impacted my career or my desire to be in this industry. I feel that I've been judged by my merit, and Silicon Valley is actually at the forefront of trying to bring down this gender barrier. If anything, the stereotypical hacker guy wants to see more women in the industry. If 99% of the indust…

That would be nice.

I also wonder if things are better on the West Coast. My experience has been on the East.

Re: Announcement: YC alumni will help us read applications

#112

Post by Major_Grooves » Wed, Oct 28, 2009, 9:42 PM UTC

tianaco wrote: post #41

I feel like this is going to work against me - in a really serious way. First of all, I really liked knowing that I had a one in three chance of a woman, Jessica Livingston, reading my application. I liked how the application felt like a college application; they judge you based upon your potential and what you've done in your circumstances, not like an investor who says: "What experience and traction do you have?".…

I'm not sure if you've said elsewhere, but are you a solo applicant? You talk about "I". You don't mention what sex your co-founder is. If you are a solo applicant then being female is the least of your worries - solo applicants seldom (ever?) get accepted to YC.

my co-founder (jlees) is XX. She was the face on our application video last time and we got invited over for an interview. I've no idea if Jessica was the one that looked at the video - to be honest the thought never crossed my mind that it might help us get to interview stage.

Lose the chip from your shoulder and just concentrate on making a confident, compelling application. :)

Re: Announcement: YC alumni will help us read applications

#113

Post by unalone » Wed, Oct 28, 2009, 9:45 PM UTC

bravura wrote: post #98

antonovka wrote: post #78

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I would be interested to hear how you see your art and technology interests converging.

Designers don't understand what science is capable of, and the scientists don't know how to deliver a consumer-facing product. It's especially good if you have design, technology, and business all in one. By understanding business, technology, and design, I feel like our venture is poised to have a disruptive impact. If you email me, I will send you a link to our demo. [edit: My profile plus Googling my name will lea…

I don't see your email address listed anywhere. Can you email me? Always a delight to talk to a self-identified artist. i.am@me.com.

Re: Announcement: YC alumni will help us read applications

#114

Post by Major_Grooves » Wed, Oct 28, 2009, 9:46 PM UTC

tianaco wrote: post #41

I feel like this is going to work against me - in a really serious way. First of all, I really liked knowing that I had a one in three chance of a woman, Jessica Livingston, reading my application. I liked how the application felt like a college application; they judge you based upon your potential and what you've done in your circumstances, not like an investor who says: "What experience and traction do you have?".…

and another thing, I don't want to speak for jlees, but I've never got the impression she was treated as an "outsider". A novelty perhaps, but I think it wears off a second once she starts talking code. I'm a non-coder and I feel much more of an outsider. ;)

if anyone really wants to feel like an outsider, try being a guy at a "women in tech" event.

Re: Announcement: YC alumni will help us read applications

#115

Post by bravura » Wed, Oct 28, 2009, 9:46 PM UTC

tianaco wrote: post #96

adrianwaj wrote: post #83

Earlier quoted context omitted.

well, that's a nice hack. But lessens your karma for the sake of bravura's. A tad shady.

It's only shady if you care about karma.

In reply to adrianwaj: For the application, I mean. Usually the convention is 1 user = 1 person.

I wasn't thinking about the Y-combinator application when I registered my account 450 days ago and when tianaco occasionally commented on threads.

I don't see this as a problem.

Re: Announcement: YC alumni will help us read applications

#116

Post by lleger » Wed, Oct 28, 2009, 9:47 PM UTC

tianaco wrote: post #41

I feel like this is going to work against me - in a really serious way. First of all, I really liked knowing that I had a one in three chance of a woman, Jessica Livingston, reading my application. I liked how the application felt like a college application; they judge you based upon your potential and what you've done in your circumstances, not like an investor who says: "What experience and traction do you have?".…

Seriously? You're kidding, right?

Re: Announcement: YC alumni will help us read applications

#117

Post by tianaco » Wed, Oct 28, 2009, 9:52 PM UTC

Major_Grooves wrote: post #112

tianaco wrote: post #41

I feel like this is going to work against me - in a really serious way. First of all, I really liked knowing that I had a one in three chance of a woman, Jessica Livingston, reading my application. I liked how the application felt like a college application; they judge you based upon your potential and what you've done in your circumstances, not like an investor who says: "What experience and traction do you have?".…

I'm not sure if you've said elsewhere, but are you a solo applicant? You talk about "I". You don't mention what sex your co-founder is. If you are a solo applicant then being female is the least of your worries - solo applicants seldom (ever?) get accepted to YC. my co-founder (jlees) is XX. She was the face on our application video last time and we got invited over for an interview. I've no idea if Jessica was the o…

No, we had 2 submissions - One headed by my partner with 4 founders, another headed by me with 2 founders. The other founders are all men.

I am the first face on our application video. We did that to set us apart from the rest of the videos.

I'm done with my applications, and confident that we made good applications for the people that we initially thought were going to review them... but not for unknown founders whose personal biases we are unaware of, but I can only assume based on my personal experiences with men in tech.

Re: "chip on my shoulder" would you be offended if your peers wouldn't look you in the face? how about if they re-asked your business partners the same questions they asked you, only to get the same response?

Re: Announcement: YC alumni will help us read applications

#118

Post by gruseom » Wed, Oct 28, 2009, 9:53 PM UTC

Major_Grooves wrote: post #114

tianaco wrote: post #41

I feel like this is going to work against me - in a really serious way. First of all, I really liked knowing that I had a one in three chance of a woman, Jessica Livingston, reading my application. I liked how the application felt like a college application; they judge you based upon your potential and what you've done in your circumstances, not like an investor who says: "What experience and traction do you have?".…

and another thing, I don't want to speak for jlees, but I've never got the impression she was treated as an "outsider". A novelty perhaps, but I think it wears off a second once she starts talking code. I'm a non-coder and I feel much more of an outsider. ;) if anyone really wants to feel like an outsider, try being a guy at a "women in tech" event.

I'm a non-coder and I feel much more of an insider

You meant outsider, right? Seems to me that's what you meant... if so, you've made a very good point.

Re: Announcement: YC alumni will help us read applications

#119

Post by p01nd3xt3r » Wed, Oct 28, 2009, 9:53 PM UTC

p01nd3xt3r wrote: post #108

This makes me not want to apply; I guess I am just one of those people with bad ideas that YC would not have wanted to fund anyway.

I know this is not a popular opinion its really how I feel. I know lots of geeks and am very familiar with geek / startup culture. One of the coolest things about YC is the fact that there is so much input / guidance from PG. This decision seems like a shift away from that and toward more of a judged by peers model IMHO.

Re: Announcement: YC alumni will help us read applications

#120

Post by adrianwaj » Wed, Oct 28, 2009, 9:55 PM UTC

bravura wrote: post #115

tianaco wrote: post #96

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's only shady if you care about karma.

In reply to adrianwaj: For the application, I mean. Usually the convention is 1 user = 1 person. I wasn't thinking about the Y-combinator application when I registered my account 450 days ago and when tianaco occasionally commented on threads. I don't see this as a problem.

Look, if I'm submitting my application with my karma score and words alongside you (+ tianaco's score and words (under your name)), then if words and score are important to PG for the app, do you think I should feel the playing field has been even with the duplicity?