"Using fundraising itself as a benchmark is dangerous for the entire community because it encourages a culture of optimizing for short term showmanship instead

"Using fundraising itself as a benchmark is dangerous for the entire community because it encourages a culture of optimizing for short term showmanship instead of making something people want and creating lasting value." This. To be sure, fundraising is a milestone of a certain type -- just never conflate it with an accomplishment. Buying a home is a milestone; it's also a gigantic liability. TLDR: let's keep our eye on the ball.