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How Y Combinator Changed the World

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Re: How Y Combinator Changed the World

#41

Post by petra »

edouard-harris wrote: post #12
OnlineGladiator wrote: post #4

> Their ideas reflected YC’s implicit view that for every problem in the world, there is a startup solution I dream of a world where we try to solve problems first and monetize them second, and I don't mean growth hacking. > It’s Y Combinator’s world, and we’re all invested in it. There are many people who resent this world. I'd like to live in a world where success isn't measured by money.

Sincere question: what would one use to measure success in such a world?

Money combines many metrics into a single, very abstract number.

Maybe a multi-goal optimization, and using more concrete goals is better?

And goals should be directly related to fullfilment of human needs over both the short and long terms.

So let's say measure something like home ownership rate, good jobs, good healthcare accessibility, etc.

Re: How Y Combinator Changed the World

#42

Post by georgyo »

jdamon96 wrote: post #37
yumraj wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I dream of a world where we try to solve problems first and monetize them second I dream of a world where we don’t create solutions, such as blockchain, and then try to find the problem.

the blockchain is a solution to the Byzantine generals problem.

No, it is not.

We have no way to know if the other general recieved the message, we can only know that the block chain has committed it.

This is the same as a forum or a blog post. We can make a post, but we don't know if the our other party read it.

If the "enemy" army cut off internet access to one general after it responds to attack, even if a message is committed into a block chain, only one general is attacking at first light.

Re: How Y Combinator Changed the World

#43

Post by nielsole »

leifg wrote: post #32
Msw242 wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's a hugely flawed north star. We've had inequality as long as we have had surplus. The more surplus, the more inequality. But I'd rather live today than in hunter gatherer times, even though they were materially more equal. "Why not modern life with less inequality?" Well because growing the pie and splitting the pie are competing drivers. If Elon musk weren't already obscenely wealthy, he wouldn't have been abl…

Call me a socialist but we had scientific and engineering breakthroughs without hyper capitalism. If NASA had the budget of the 1960s today we would be way ahead of what Space X is doing now. And yeah, even without that I’d trade Space X for more global equality in a second.

NASA probably was perceived to show the superiority of the capitalist system over socialism in the 60ies though.

Re: How Y Combinator Changed the World

#45

Post by sillysaurusx »

systemvoltage wrote: post #33

The cynicism in this thread is simply astounding. The people of HN has had a negative impact on my view of the world and my own internal optimism. It’s hard to find even the smallest light of hope here. “Can do” attitude is outdated and is replaced by “Pull everyone else down”.

I agree. Trash takes.

I once tried to argue that most YC founders don't spend their time on HN. It got a surprising amount of blowback. With people like this here, it seemed entirely obvious that no founder would want to.

But now I think founders just roll their eyes and move on.

Re: How Y Combinator Changed the World

#46

Post by tyre »

sillysaurusx wrote: post #45
systemvoltage wrote: post #33

The cynicism in this thread is simply astounding. The people of HN has had a negative impact on my view of the world and my own internal optimism. It’s hard to find even the smallest light of hope here. “Can do” attitude is outdated and is replaced by “Pull everyone else down”.

I agree. Trash takes. I once tried to argue that most YC founders don't spend their time on HN. It got a surprising amount of blowback. With people like this here, it seemed entirely obvious that no founder would want to. But now I think founders just roll their eyes and move on.

Many YC founders I know read HN, but far fewer comment. On this article, for example, two other founders have commented. YC founders on any given thread are (generally) few.

> But now I think founders just roll their eyes and move on.

yes.

My personal attitude is that unless it’s grossly unfair _and_ largely upvoted, there’s not much need to jump to YC’s defense. Those two conditions are rarely met in one comment.

Re: How Y Combinator Changed the World

#48

Post by metacritic12 »

OnlineGladiator wrote: post #4

> Their ideas reflected YC’s implicit view that for every problem in the world, there is a startup solution I dream of a world where we try to solve problems first and monetize them second, and I don't mean growth hacking. > It’s Y Combinator’s world, and we’re all invested in it. There are many people who resent this world. I'd like to live in a world where success isn't measured by money.

I mean I would also like to live in a world where everyone gave it their 100% for the betterment of all humanity. The reality though is that if we set those incentives naively, nearly all past examples have led to way less output then using monetary (capitalistic) incentives.

what's the best way for the world to be more selfless and productive without that being a pipe dream?

Re: How Y Combinator Changed the World

#49

Post by metacritic12 »

jacquesm wrote: post #13
edouard-harris wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sincere question: what would one use to measure success in such a world?

In the delta between those that have it the best and those that have it the worst.

so one way to achieve the best possible society is by implementing Harrison bergeron?

Re: How Y Combinator Changed the World

#50

Post by exhilaration »

taytus wrote: post #6

I’ve applied not less than 7 times to YC. Rejected every time. Some of our customers are multi billion dollar companies. We are profitable, growing and got accepted by their direct competitor. I still believe YC influence is amazing and I have nothing but respect for all the people involved in the program but I like to remind fellows entrepreneurs that any accelerator is just a tool. If you want to build something, n…

their direct competitor

For those of us unfamiliar with the startup world, could you share the name of their direct competitor?

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