5 ms·

I'm trying to figure out a way to articulate why "I still want my $20K" seems to me. The way this whole thing was handled stinks, and I'm sorry you got screwed

I'm trying to figure out a way to articulate why "I still want my $20K" seems to me. The way this whole thing was handled stinks, and I'm sorry you got screwed by a poorly thought-out "contest." But it seems like the YCF deal isn't solely about the money -- they're trying to find companies to work with. Honestly, did you... want that? Or just the $20,000 that keeps getting mentioned?

idlewords 10y ago
YC's values are so diametrically opposed to my own that I thought it would be interesting for everyone to have me go through the program. As for my demands to get paid, I had a clever idea about how to use the money, and I'm miffed that I won't get a chance to do it.
- dineshp2 10y ago
  Can you explain a little bit about how your values don't align with YC's values? It would be interesting to hear your thoughts. If you don't mind me asking, how would you have used the money, if you were accepted into the program?
  - wfn 10y ago
    Re. the former, I would start by reading e.g. http://idlewords.com/2015/11/the_advertising_bubble.htm http://idlewords.com/2015/11/the_advertising_bubble.htm and http://idlewords.com/talks/internet_with_a_human_face.htm http://idlewords.com/talks/internet_with_a_human_face.htm
- brhsiao 10y ago
  You're saying (a) YC's values are diametrically opposed to yours, (b) your call with Kevin wasn't successful, and (c) YCF isn't designed for companies like yours—but adhering rigidly to the original guidelines you still ought to get your bag of cash. Basically you tried gaming the system, with your fanbase who voted for you despite your comments like "I will go through YC like a bowling ball," and now you're protesting that YC won't let you. You don't even like YC. May I ask, out of curiosity, why you're doing this?
  - idlewords 10y ago
    It's odd to criticize me for gaming the system given the name of this website.
    - deleted 10y ago
      [deleted]
    - brhsiao 10y ago
      No, that part's fine. But you're protesting that an organization you've more or less openly criticized won't let you game them.
      - zorpner 10y ago
        More specifically, an organization that's willing to burn a huge amount of credibility in order to avoid a tiny investment in an already-profitable (cf pg on ramen profitability) business whose proprietor doesn't fully conform with their arbitrary values. Given this, is the overall diversity of other YC founders any surprise?
        deleted 10y ago
        [deleted]
    - jaredmck 10y ago
      Tell me about a time you hacked a system.
      - jhayward 10y ago
        I think you should realize that pinboard's very nature and existence is a wonderful hack of the SV and "web 2.0" mindset and ecosystem.
      - coldtea 10y ago
        You'd be surprised to learn than hackers are more than computer guys (even in the original e.g. MIT sense), and systems are far more than computer systems.
- pjc50 10y ago
  Why do I have a suspicion that the planned use of the money is something KLF-esque? :)
- dredmorbius 10y ago
  The Alameda-Weehawken Burrito Tunnel?

idlewords 10y ago

YC's values are so diametrically opposed to my own that I thought it would be interesting for everyone to have me go through the program. As for my demands to get paid, I had a clever idea about how to use the money, and I'm miffed that I won't get a chance to do it.

dineshp2 10y ago
Can you explain a little bit about how your values don't align with YC's values? It would be interesting to hear your thoughts. If you don't mind me asking, how would you have used the money, if you were accepted into the program?
- wfn 10y ago
  Re. the former, I would start by reading e.g. http://idlewords.com/2015/11/the_advertising_bubble.htm http://idlewords.com/2015/11/the_advertising_bubble.htm and http://idlewords.com/talks/internet_with_a_human_face.htm http://idlewords.com/talks/internet_with_a_human_face.htm
brhsiao 10y ago
You're saying (a) YC's values are diametrically opposed to yours, (b) your call with Kevin wasn't successful, and (c) YCF isn't designed for companies like yours—but adhering rigidly to the original guidelines you still ought to get your bag of cash. Basically you tried gaming the system, with your fanbase who voted for you despite your comments like "I will go through YC like a bowling ball," and now you're protesting that YC won't let you. You don't even like YC. May I ask, out of curiosity, why you're doing this?
- idlewords 10y ago
  It's odd to criticize me for gaming the system given the name of this website.
  - deleted 10y ago
    [deleted]
  - brhsiao 10y ago
    No, that part's fine. But you're protesting that an organization you've more or less openly criticized won't let you game them.
    - zorpner 10y ago
      More specifically, an organization that's willing to burn a huge amount of credibility in order to avoid a tiny investment in an already-profitable (cf pg on ramen profitability) business whose proprietor doesn't fully conform with their arbitrary values. Given this, is the overall diversity of other YC founders any surprise?
      - deleted 10y ago
        [deleted]
  - jaredmck 10y ago
    Tell me about a time you hacked a system.
    - jhayward 10y ago
      I think you should realize that pinboard's very nature and existence is a wonderful hack of the SV and "web 2.0" mindset and ecosystem.
    - coldtea 10y ago
      You'd be surprised to learn than hackers are more than computer guys (even in the original e.g. MIT sense), and systems are far more than computer systems.
pjc50 10y ago
Why do I have a suspicion that the planned use of the money is something KLF-esque? :)
dredmorbius 10y ago
The Alameda-Weehawken Burrito Tunnel?