The Book of Graham

#1

Post by allworknoplay » Wed, Feb 12, 2014, 1:13 AM UTC

Re: The Book of Graham

#2

Post by arbuge » Wed, Feb 12, 2014, 2:00 AM UTC

My 2 cents: He is correct that YCombinator is running little risk doing what it does at this point. That seems pretty obvious now - though it was not when they started. Accelerators were a novelty back then, and YC could have fallen flat on its face.

YCombinator is a pretty low risk deal for entrepreneurs too, come to think of it. Perhaps the author misses this point. If your startup does fail and/or you get tired of the startup game, there's probably a large number of companies willing to take you on as an employee, given the skillset you likely had to get into YC.

Re: The Book of Graham

#3

Post by aelaguiz » Wed, Feb 12, 2014, 2:09 AM UTC

As a YC founder I know exactly what I signed up for. YC is in the business of placing a series of low risk bets twice annually and then sorting through those bets looking for likely winners, doubling down and helping when possible

It doesn't matter though, they still lower my overall risk profile by being involved and (I believe) increase my odds of success. I believe it's a square deal.

I also believe that fundamentally if there's a time to aim high rather than minimizing downside risk in one's life, it's your 20s. Furthermore to a certain type of personality (mine) a secure life making a few hundred thousand dollars a year in an essentially mind-numbing profession that does little for humanity is unthinkably depressing.

It ain't for everyone, but I don't think it's fair to act as if it's some sort of sinister delusion projected by YC in order to benefit Paul Graham.

Re: The Book of Graham

#4

Post by chrislloyd » Wed, Feb 12, 2014, 2:13 AM UTC

Google cache: http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache%3Ahttp%...

Re: The Book of Graham

#5

Post by avodonosov » Wed, Feb 12, 2014, 2:13 AM UTC

funny reading :)

Re: The Book of Graham

#6

Post by SworDsy » Wed, Feb 12, 2014, 2:14 AM UTC

YC didn't invent startups, and everyone should be able to do something they actually want to do all day at least once. And for their benefit it should be in their 20s.

Re: The Book of Graham

#7

Post by Aqueous » Wed, Feb 12, 2014, 2:14 AM UTC

He's 22 and a Harvard grad. If you believe this is a mistake, let him fail. He will recover.

Re: The Book of Graham

#8

Post by gatehouse » Wed, Feb 12, 2014, 2:16 AM UTC

Dup: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=7220385

Re: The Book of Graham

#9

Post by smoyer » Wed, Feb 12, 2014, 2:18 AM UTC

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the article - yet I don't believe any of it. When you've got a wife, kids, mortgage, private school, etc, etc, etc, you've got to be a bit more risk averse. In this case, why not let the kid see what life is like when you're not a corporate drone?

Re: The Book of Graham

#10

Post by spindritf » Wed, Feb 12, 2014, 2:21 AM UTC

I don't get it. What's the intended message for his younger brother?

That you should go into a steady, well-paying career because then you'll be able to impress women by picking up the tab at a fancy restaurant/bar? Or was it just poking fun at YC-as-a-cult?