4 ms·

I make no effort to argue that there is a dichotomy of either "continuous rewarding work" or "big pile of cash". I don't even imply that. In fact I think it w

by n8agrin 17y ago

I make no effort to argue that there is a dichotomy of either "continuous rewarding work" or "big pile of cash". I don't even imply that. In fact I think it would be hard to argue that DHH doesn't have a big pile of cash, at least when put into perspective with my bank account. What I do state is that I understand DHH's perspective of wanting continuous rewarding work with total control of his business over a single pay day and subsequent buyout, even if that buyout is for a value greater than the business' current profits. In other words, his business is literally priceless in his mind because it gives his life meaning, something a pile of cash and no control over his creative work (which he clearly seems to believe is the best idea he's had and may ever have, in his life) does not. I think we're looking at the hypothetical scenario from two different perspectives. Your's is arguably more realistic, in that you're right, if 37signals was bought out it's unlikely that DHH would be out of a job. And even if he was he could go on to create "38signals". My hypothetical scenario is based more on the idea of "sell to go sit on a beach for the rest of your life". That's to say, you would sell the business for a big pay day explicitly so you would not have to work anymore.

cookiecaper 17y ago
If that's the case it's quite sad. I hope that no one stakes the meaningfulness of his life on his business. It's silly to make this particular business so central. As stated, he can sell it off and just start another shop that does the same thing. There is a lot of great work available for rich people -- they can start any business they want, they can become philanthropists and spend all day giving their money away. If DHH sold 37s in a good deal, he'd have a lot more options for not only himself, but the future of his companies and all of their employees, and almost no meaningful restrictions not directly related to the properties associated with 37s. It's really hard to convince people that that's a bad deal, because frankly it's not. Sell 37s and make something new; it can even do the same stuff, just has to be named differently. I'm really not seeing how this would be a loss if it was done right.
- n8agrin 17y ago
  I don't understand why you interpret my statements as absolutes. For example I said: "In other words, his business is literally priceless in his mind because it gives his life meaning..." I did not say "...it is the only thing in DHH's life that gives his life meaning..." I seriously doubt that 37signals is so central to DHH's existence (or any member of 37signals) that removing it from their life would prevent them from moving on. I just responded to Calacanis with a similar point, but essentially I believe you are looking at business as a method to maximize _money_. My point is that perhaps when we talk about maximizing _profit_, profit can be defined as more than money.

by n8agrin 17y ago

cookiecaper 17y ago

If that's the case it's quite sad. I hope that no one stakes the meaningfulness of his life on his business. It's silly to make this particular business so central. As stated, he can sell it off and just start another shop that does the same thing. There is a lot of great work available for rich people -- they can start any business they want, they can become philanthropists and spend all day giving their money away. If DHH sold 37s in a good deal, he'd have a lot more options for not only himself, but the future of his companies and all of their employees, and almost no meaningful restrictions not directly related to the properties associated with 37s. It's really hard to convince people that that's a bad deal, because frankly it's not. Sell 37s and make something new; it can even do the same stuff, just has to be named differently. I'm really not seeing how this would be a loss if it was done right.

n8agrin 17y ago
I don't understand why you interpret my statements as absolutes. For example I said: "In other words, his business is literally priceless in his mind because it gives his life meaning..." I did not say "...it is the only thing in DHH's life that gives his life meaning..." I seriously doubt that 37signals is so central to DHH's existence (or any member of 37signals) that removing it from their life would prevent them from moving on. I just responded to Calacanis with a similar point, but essentially I believe you are looking at business as a method to maximize _money_. My point is that perhaps when we talk about maximizing _profit_, profit can be defined as more than money.