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Maybe a technical identity required to start a web software startup peak in one's late 20's because good technology perpetually abstracts itself irrelevant, but

by motoko 19y ago

Maybe a technical identity required to start a web software startup peak in one's late 20's because good technology perpetually abstracts itself irrelevant, but an interpersonal business skills continue to improve as one builds a professional network and earns experience. Given this hypothesis, it would be best to be an engineer in one's 20's and then transition to a more strategic business identity in one's 30's and beyond. This fits your new YC founder profile.

SwellJoe 19y ago
I'm not sure I buy this. I think the best hackers (perhaps not the same as engineers) have a certain mindset that doesn't go away. The oldest working developer I've ever worked with also happens to be the fellow that turned me on to Ruby AND Lua, when nobody on Reddit was talking about them (actually before reddit existed) and nobody else in the office was tinkering with them. He just had a roving interest in technology and loved to play with new stuff. But certainly even the nerdiest of sorts learns that there are some problems that can't be solved with code--and that does make a big difference in how one approaches running a business.
- motoko 19y ago
  He was also working as a developer in an office with you. He may have been wealthy or had started various startups, but he still worked for others in his old age. There's nothing wrong with that, but it's not what I would expect from, say, a multi-million dollar CEO in semi-retirement. Maybe more a member of the board or a private investor who works on various fun projects.
  - SwellJoe 19y ago
    I think I must be misunderstanding you, then, and what you've just said feels like it conflicts with your previous statement that I was addressing. My assertion was that serious hackers don't lose their love or interest for technology. I wasn't talking about the entrepreneurial spirit, at all. Merely saying that nerds are nerds for life, but they might pick up other skills along the way (and those other skills are probably valuable in starting and running a business). The fellow I was speaking of was always without entrepreneurial ambition (he was happily an IBM guy for years, in fact...a private office with a view and a good salary was all he ever wanted)--and actually perfectly fits the description I gave above about nerds over 40--but his interest in and passion for software development never waned. So, perhaps you could clarify what you were trying to say about aging hackers above, since I didn't understand you the first time?
    - motoko 19y ago
      Oh, I'm not making a statement about aging hackers. I'm thinking about what is a good life strategy for young people making decisions about how to pursue a successful life. I'm also assuming that such a person would be flexible enough to walk into a party and not be seen as a nerd if they choose not be to.

by motoko 19y ago

SwellJoe 19y ago

I'm not sure I buy this. I think the best hackers (perhaps not the same as engineers) have a certain mindset that doesn't go away. The oldest working developer I've ever worked with also happens to be the fellow that turned me on to Ruby AND Lua, when nobody on Reddit was talking about them (actually before reddit existed) and nobody else in the office was tinkering with them. He just had a roving interest in technology and loved to play with new stuff. But certainly even the nerdiest of sorts learns that there are some problems that can't be solved with code--and that does make a big difference in how one approaches running a business.

motoko 19y ago
He was also working as a developer in an office with you. He may have been wealthy or had started various startups, but he still worked for others in his old age. There's nothing wrong with that, but it's not what I would expect from, say, a multi-million dollar CEO in semi-retirement. Maybe more a member of the board or a private investor who works on various fun projects.
- SwellJoe 19y ago
  I think I must be misunderstanding you, then, and what you've just said feels like it conflicts with your previous statement that I was addressing. My assertion was that serious hackers don't lose their love or interest for technology. I wasn't talking about the entrepreneurial spirit, at all. Merely saying that nerds are nerds for life, but they might pick up other skills along the way (and those other skills are probably valuable in starting and running a business). The fellow I was speaking of was always without entrepreneurial ambition (he was happily an IBM guy for years, in fact...a private office with a view and a good salary was all he ever wanted)--and actually perfectly fits the description I gave above about nerds over 40--but his interest in and passion for software development never waned. So, perhaps you could clarify what you were trying to say about aging hackers above, since I didn't understand you the first time?
  - motoko 19y ago
    Oh, I'm not making a statement about aging hackers. I'm thinking about what is a good life strategy for young people making decisions about how to pursue a successful life. I'm also assuming that such a person would be flexible enough to walk into a party and not be seen as a nerd if they choose not be to.