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I Am Sam Altman, President of Y Combinator. AMA

news.ycombinator.com

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Re: I Am Sam Altman, President of Y Combinator. AMA

#511

Post by harrychenca »

miracle_code wrote: post #417
sama wrote: post #351

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Honestly, we are so busy, there are so many companies, and ideas are worth so little, that most of us don't think twice about a specific company once we move on to the next applications. The very best ideas usually don't seem worth stealing.

The concept of ideas being worth near to nothing is new to me, can you explain that thinking? Without monetary arguments this seems not right.

If ideas worth something, then an idea would be a commodity being traded among people in markets. Since there isn't a market where people trade ideas with something else, like money, there simply isn't a market for ideas. Hence, ideas are worth nothing.

Re: I Am Sam Altman, President of Y Combinator. AMA

#512

Post by hluska »

galistoca wrote: post #391
joshmanders wrote: post #355

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Leaving your area for three months isn't taking on risks. I'm sure YC would be foaming at the mouth to take basecamp and if they could start over with the ability to apply to YC I'm sure DHH and Jason would still turn it down if they were required to go to SF.

If you think you have enough knowledge and insight to criticize me, criticize my main point instead of trying to take things out of context to make your point. My main point was "There are tons of other qualified people who are as old as you and has as many children and wives as you, who are also tied with as many obligations as you. AND they ALL are willing to spend that 3 months in the bay area. Why would an invest…

Your point would be significantly stronger if you ditched the aggressive tone.

Re: I Am Sam Altman, President of Y Combinator. AMA

#515

Post by errantspark »

Hey Sam, where do I apply for YC basic income? : ) Many people have no problems in life except those related to not having enough dough.

I know a number of really creative/talented individuals who would be a lot better off if they didn't struggle to feed/house themselves. People who contribute to open source, build art projects and love to share knowledge. Definite contributors to society and the betterment of their fellow man.

Have you ever considered just letting people to apply for YC for a few years of basic income. The individuals that I'm thinking of would contribute more to society if given basic income than in any other situation I can imagine. (Many of them bay area locals, if you want to interview a few in person). Driven to create but stifled by various real and/or self imposed restrictions.

Re: I Am Sam Altman, President of Y Combinator. AMA

#516

Post by kartikkumar »

sama wrote: post #478
kartikkumar wrote: post #132

Is it a strong criterion that applicants you admit into the program have a (clear) path to building billion-dollar companies? Or do you give more weight to solving important problems? In other words, does ROI trump problem-solving, and if so, are teams tackling niche problems at a disadvantage?

No. One thing we like to do is help founders figure out that path.

Ok great, thanks for clarifying!

Re: I Am Sam Altman, President of Y Combinator. AMA

#518

Post by Xeoncross »

errantspark wrote: post #515

Hey Sam, where do I apply for YC basic income? : ) Many people have no problems in life except those related to not having enough dough. I know a number of really creative/talented individuals who would be a lot better off if they didn't struggle to feed/house themselves. People who contribute to open source, build art projects and love to share knowledge. Definite contributors to society and the betterment of their…

Even more than basic income in the west. Basic income in developing countries could go farther for less.

It's pretty easy to work a job and still have time to develop if you want to here in the states. It's really hard to starve doing what you love here.

Re: I Am Sam Altman, President of Y Combinator. AMA

#519

Post by tapeman »

echoudhry wrote: post #443

Hey Sam, we have attempted to apply a couple times showing steady progression. Does it hurt to re-apply with same idea. To be fair, I know if I have seen a resume for the third time, I am conflicted with the applicants passion and my initial decision. How would say this can differ with your team or is it the same?

I'm like 80% sure I've heard aaron harris say on startup school radio that it doesn't hurt to reapply

Re: I Am Sam Altman, President of Y Combinator. AMA

#520

Post by eldavido »

harrychenca wrote: post #511
miracle_code wrote: post #417

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The concept of ideas being worth near to nothing is new to me, can you explain that thinking? Without monetary arguments this seems not right.

If ideas worth something, then an idea would be a commodity being traded among people in markets. Since there isn't a market where people trade ideas with something else, like money, there simply isn't a market for ideas. Hence, ideas are worth nothing.

I don't buy this; I think starting off in the right market is a huge determinant of success.

The reason there's no market is because it takes an idea and a person who can execute -- knowledge, skills, connections, experience, etc. Ideas aren't separable from people in a way that would make a market possible.

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