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I disagree that opposing SOPA is just political, supporting SOPA threatens innovation which threatens the startup community which in turns threatens YC's bottom
by whistlerbrk 10y ago
I disagree that opposing SOPA is just political, supporting SOPA threatens innovation which threatens the startup community which in turns threatens YC's bottom line. Therefore opposing SOPA and denying investors access based on their support is a business decision.
- dfabulich 10y agoWe don't disagree. The SOPA decision was both a business decision and a political decision. Any decision a business makes is a business decision, regardless of whether it is also a political decision. The decision YC is making about Thiel is also both a political decision and a business decision.
- tyre 10y agoThere is a strong business case here as well. Thiel alienates a lot of people and his public advocacy for Trump isn't helping. Silicon Valley already has tremendous diversity issues and a reputation as out-of-touch. If the future of America and the world only gets more diverse, which seems to be the case, then YC has a vested interest in being on the right side of history.
- flopsey 10y agoThere's a substantial difference between forcing someone out because of the potential that other people would shun them for political reasons vs because they are taking a stand that you think would do irreparable harm to your industry. The first is pure politics, with only the indirect consequences on your company that all businesses could face. The other is a piece of pointed legislation whose primary goal will disrupt your industry.
- danso 10y agoBut politics is business, which is why lobbying is such a huge part of democracy. There are die-hards like you who would argue the same when it comes to environmental and energy, or justice and privacy issues. Few partisans think of their core cause as being mere "politics".