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I'm not sure where you got the impression he was outraged on their behalf. Clearly they were ok with it, but the person's point seems to be "don't get the wrong

I'm not sure where you got the impression he was outraged on their behalf. Clearly they were ok with it, but the person's point seems to be "don't get the wrong idea that living like this is good"

sillysaurus3 10y ago
Why tell anyone how they should be living? Or look down on them for it? Or advise people that they should keep their head down and not chase their dreams (as in https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13900883 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13900883)? What exactly were you going to do with your youth that was so much more interesting that you'd do that instead of creating your own business while having the full force of YC alums pushing you on? If you want to do something else, great. It's perfectly ok to spend your youth however you want. There's nothing wrong with choosing a safe path. But if people want to chase their dreams in irrational ways, then cheer for them!
- koolba 10y ago
  I didn't say to not chase ones dreams. I said don't be a fool about it. There's no need to live like this to pursue a startup and I'll call out anyone I see romanticizing it as wrong 7 days a week. > But if people want to chase their dreams in irrational ways, then cheer for them! Everybody loves rooting for the crazy underdog but that doesn't mean we want people we care about to be in their situation. In a sibling comment someone referenced being an actor/waiter in Hollywood. I think it's a great non-tech example of reality vs romanticized "follow your dream" stories.
  - sillysaurus3 10y ago
    I'd rather be a fool than a cynic.
    - ruleabidinguser 10y ago
      Not being a romantic is not remotely the same as being a cynic dude. Its actually obnoxious of you to suggest that they are the same thing. Most functioning people are not particularly romantic in my experience. Similarly, most (and I would include myself here) are not cynics. Whatsmore, being a cynic is something that is often appropriate, particularly when dealing with wild romantics.
      - dang 10y ago
        > Its actually obnoxious of you Please abide by the rules here and don't be uncivil.
- ruleabidinguser 10y ago
  People are free to make an informed decision in either way, if you think im suggesting coercion youre misreading me. But the key word is informed. Suggesting that it is normal or even broadly considered acceptable to live in a closet is a lie. Encourage people however you like but if you need to lie to them then I'm absolutely not ok with it.
  - sillysaurus3 10y ago
    Who cares what's normal or acceptable, short of illegal? Why not be crazy in your youth? It's your youth! Spend it however you want. Spend it in ways that you look back and don't regret having taken a safe path. I don't think anyone is lying about anything. Everyone is extremely quick to point out that living in a closet isn't normal. But it's awesome. They actually had the courage to do that. And that is wonderful, and worth celebrating. They didn't give a damn what was normal and did whatever was pragmatic. I'm glad there are places like that in the world.
    - ruleabidinguser 10y ago
      You're certainly missing my point here.
      - sillysaurus3 10y ago
        I added a bit to the end of my comment. It sounds like you're worried that people are lying to others, or are somehow acting in ways that are malicious. But all that's happening here is cheering for founders.
        ruleabidinguser 10y ago
        From personal experience its very possible to believe you are obliged to sacrifice your own well being, and you are obliged to be passionate about something. This is my motivation here.
        10y ago

I'm not sure where you got the impression he was outraged on their behalf. Clearly they were ok with it, but the person's point seems to be "don't get the wrong idea that living like this is good"

sillysaurus3 10y ago

Why tell anyone how they should be living? Or look down on them for it? Or advise people that they should keep their head down and not chase their dreams (as in https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13900883 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13900883)? What exactly were you going to do with your youth that was so much more interesting that you'd do that instead of creating your own business while having the full force of YC alums pushing you on? If you want to do something else, great. It's perfectly ok to spend your youth however you want. There's nothing wrong with choosing a safe path. But if people want to chase their dreams in irrational ways, then cheer for them!

koolba 10y ago
I didn't say to not chase ones dreams. I said don't be a fool about it. There's no need to live like this to pursue a startup and I'll call out anyone I see romanticizing it as wrong 7 days a week. > But if people want to chase their dreams in irrational ways, then cheer for them! Everybody loves rooting for the crazy underdog but that doesn't mean we want people we care about to be in their situation. In a sibling comment someone referenced being an actor/waiter in Hollywood. I think it's a great non-tech example of reality vs romanticized "follow your dream" stories.
- sillysaurus3 10y ago
  I'd rather be a fool than a cynic.
  - ruleabidinguser 10y ago
    Not being a romantic is not remotely the same as being a cynic dude. Its actually obnoxious of you to suggest that they are the same thing. Most functioning people are not particularly romantic in my experience. Similarly, most (and I would include myself here) are not cynics. Whatsmore, being a cynic is something that is often appropriate, particularly when dealing with wild romantics.
    - dang 10y ago
      > Its actually obnoxious of you Please abide by the rules here and don't be uncivil.
ruleabidinguser 10y ago
People are free to make an informed decision in either way, if you think im suggesting coercion youre misreading me. But the key word is informed. Suggesting that it is normal or even broadly considered acceptable to live in a closet is a lie. Encourage people however you like but if you need to lie to them then I'm absolutely not ok with it.
- sillysaurus3 10y ago
  Who cares what's normal or acceptable, short of illegal? Why not be crazy in your youth? It's your youth! Spend it however you want. Spend it in ways that you look back and don't regret having taken a safe path. I don't think anyone is lying about anything. Everyone is extremely quick to point out that living in a closet isn't normal. But it's awesome. They actually had the courage to do that. And that is wonderful, and worth celebrating. They didn't give a damn what was normal and did whatever was pragmatic. I'm glad there are places like that in the world.
  - ruleabidinguser 10y ago
    You're certainly missing my point here.
    - sillysaurus3 10y ago
      I added a bit to the end of my comment. It sounds like you're worried that people are lying to others, or are somehow acting in ways that are malicious. But all that's happening here is cheering for founders.
      - ruleabidinguser 10y ago
        From personal experience its very possible to believe you are obliged to sacrifice your own well being, and you are obliged to be passionate about something. This is my motivation here.
        10y ago