I don't think the term Ponzi Scheme is correct but I'm not sure a name for this has been invented yet. Calling it a 'hustle' might be better but still doesn't e

I don't think the term Ponzi Scheme is correct but I'm not sure a name for this has been invented yet. Calling it a 'hustle' might be better but still doesn't express what is happening. VC's want to make money, pure and simple. The only thing that matters is the liquidity event that allows them to recoup their investment. It can be argued that in the end all these people actually create is personal wealth for themselves since the product and it's long term success (and the success of the founder and company) really don't matter. I think that's a pretty bleak outlook considering they could be making money doing a lot of other things and there is great value in what they do. VC is a game, and to play it right, they need to distill their decision making into core principles. This whole thing about dysfunctional families that the article discusses, well, I do think you need a certain temperament to be successful in the VC game and maybe the dysfunction helps to build that kind of mindset (non-sentimentalism and drive).