Any bad experiences with Y combinator? • Hacker News Board

Re: Any bad experiences with Y combinator?

#41

Post by proexploit » Wed, Oct 20, 2010, 12:24 AM UTC

Aqua_Geek wrote: post #31

pg wrote: post #28

We surveyed the founders after the last batch. Their main gripes were: 1. There aren't enough social events, especially early in the cycle. So we're adding more. 2. Founders were surprised how harsh our feedback was at times. We may be able to be more diplomatic. But I think the fundamental problem is that this is a domain where, so far at least, many participants fail. So if you're truthful, you're often going to be…

2. Founders were surprised how harsh our feedback was at times. We may be able to be more diplomatic. But I think the fundamental problem is that this is a domain where, so far at least, many participants fail. So if you're truthful, you're often going to be delivering bad news. Disclaimer: I don't have YC experience. In school, my classmates and I too often experienced the opposite kind of feedback: pat on the back,…

I agree completely. Positive feedback has very little worth to me, more often then not. I'd love to sit down with the YC team and hear everything "negative/harsh" (aka useful/constructive) they could tell me about my startup.

Re: Any bad experiences with Y combinator?

#42

Post by JabavuAdams » Wed, Oct 20, 2010, 5:27 AM UTC

Aqua_Geek wrote: post #31

pg wrote: post #28

We surveyed the founders after the last batch. Their main gripes were: 1. There aren't enough social events, especially early in the cycle. So we're adding more. 2. Founders were surprised how harsh our feedback was at times. We may be able to be more diplomatic. But I think the fundamental problem is that this is a domain where, so far at least, many participants fail. So if you're truthful, you're often going to be…

2. Founders were surprised how harsh our feedback was at times. We may be able to be more diplomatic. But I think the fundamental problem is that this is a domain where, so far at least, many participants fail. So if you're truthful, you're often going to be delivering bad news. Disclaimer: I don't have YC experience. In school, my classmates and I too often experienced the opposite kind of feedback: pat on the back,…

Sounds like "Crocker's Rules", from the SL4 mailing list. http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1810123

The problem is that a lot of techies default to doing this to other people, without understanding the others' conventions. Hence the stereotype of the insensitive hacker.

Re: Any bad experiences with Y combinator?

#43

Post by brc » Wed, Oct 20, 2010, 5:31 AM UTC

Aqua_Geek wrote: post #31

pg wrote: post #28

We surveyed the founders after the last batch. Their main gripes were: 1. There aren't enough social events, especially early in the cycle. So we're adding more. 2. Founders were surprised how harsh our feedback was at times. We may be able to be more diplomatic. But I think the fundamental problem is that this is a domain where, so far at least, many participants fail. So if you're truthful, you're often going to be…

2. Founders were surprised how harsh our feedback was at times. We may be able to be more diplomatic. But I think the fundamental problem is that this is a domain where, so far at least, many participants fail. So if you're truthful, you're often going to be delivering bad news. Disclaimer: I don't have YC experience. In school, my classmates and I too often experienced the opposite kind of feedback: pat on the back,…

I agree completely. One of the biggest problems for anyone, anywhere, is the culture of praise that has developed. Nobody gets told their work is crap anymore, and when it is, it's in a compliment sandwich as you say.

There are many instances where I could have done with someone calling me out on something instead of fence sitting or bland agreement masked as praise.

The other problem is praise inflation : if everyone gets a 'good job' then it's difficult to know whether you're ahead of the pack or just middling.

As long it's not bullying, vindictive or just plain mean, negative criticism is worth 10x positive. It's also better to be drip fed negative feedback from trusted people, so when you get out into the real world, chances are you've heard any negative feedback before and are prepared for it.

In a strong individual hurt feelings are going to produce better outcomes. I'm sure that's why the military has boot camp.

Re: Any bad experiences with Y combinator?

#44

Post by nicholasjbs » Wed, Oct 20, 2010, 6:35 AM UTC

Aqua_Geek wrote: post #31

pg wrote: post #28

We surveyed the founders after the last batch. Their main gripes were: 1. There aren't enough social events, especially early in the cycle. So we're adding more. 2. Founders were surprised how harsh our feedback was at times. We may be able to be more diplomatic. But I think the fundamental problem is that this is a domain where, so far at least, many participants fail. So if you're truthful, you're often going to be…

2. Founders were surprised how harsh our feedback was at times. We may be able to be more diplomatic. But I think the fundamental problem is that this is a domain where, so far at least, many participants fail. So if you're truthful, you're often going to be delivering bad news. Disclaimer: I don't have YC experience. In school, my classmates and I too often experienced the opposite kind of feedback: pat on the back,…

Don't sugar coat it - I have a pretty good general idea of what's working. I find honest feedback more helpful.

pg's brutally honest feedback was actually one of my favorite parts of YC. It's wonderfully refreshing.