4 ms·

That's the stupidest thing I've ever seen someone attach their name to.

by far33d 20y ago

jward 20y ago
Spend some time on the internet and that will change quickly. There's always enough stupid to go around and astound you. Either this guy is full of bs and is an attention whore, or YC's interview process has just been validated. Anyone with ethics like those I wouldn't want to invest my time, money, and support into either.
- nostrademons 20y ago
  It's this guy: http://news.ycombinator.com/comments?id=9965 http://news.ycombinator.com/comments?id=9965 Personally, I think he was joking, but I can understand why PG banned him. Potential YC companies have to trust that YC is not going to blab their secrets across the net; YC's informal commitment to confidentiality is all they have, and a lot more than most VCs give. It's all rendered moot if one of the other applicants sells their secrets to the highest bidder. Joking or not, it's not something you want to suggest that you'd do, given how much it matters to others.
  - Sam_Odio 20y ago
    What was he banned from? It looks like he's still posting on News.YC. I guess banned just means YC has decided not to invest in the guy, permanently? At least it looks like he learned from his mistakes, props to him for being so honest about it.
    - rms 20y ago
      "I guess banned just means YC has decided not to invest in the guy, permanently?" Yes... I was probably a bad candidate for Y Combinator anyways, so it was a good decision on their part.
bootload 20y ago
Hands up who makes mistakes? I do, usually technical, a lot social but some mistakes reveal more about character. Character is lot harder to judge than skillset, passion and being smart. Character means you can trust this person, know that they will do what they say they will do. Do the right thing. Two instances I've seen where someones character has been exposed, one resulted in sacking (trying to hack the server & being caught, then police being called) and the other - hacking (after being in the company for 1 day, hacked root, added themselves to wheel & logged in externally via ssh, ordered software on company money). What was their motive? Curiosity, greed? I don't know. I do know I wouldn't want to work with them. You simply can't trust them to do the right thing. From the looks this bloke is pretty young & eager. [0], [1] Reading the post does expose a character flaw (we all have them), impatience. More and more I'm reading of people getting frustrated in not getting acceptance as if this is their only shot. Now or never. This is simply not the case. In fact if you think this I really question you determination and resolve. Now back to 'cash for comments'. Inside information for the highest bidder. So what was the cash for? Well to start the startup of course. Just another way to raise money? Well it's pretty stupid, ill planned and looking at the responses out of step in what's expected. And to do it on such a high-profile site with your name. That's punishment enough. Maybe there ought to be another item added in, 'Startup Mistakes'. [2] Perhaps what should be added is something about "how you respond to failure & setback". What is the right way? What is the wrong way explaining what you have to loose. Reference [0] bootload, 'What's the best thing you could be working on, and why aren't you?': http://news.ycombinator.com/comments?id=13193 http://news.ycombinator.com/comments?id=13193 [1] In a post I added on what 'best is the best idea you could be working on' rms gave this reply ~http://news.ycombinator.com/comments?id=13193 http://news.ycombinator.com/comments?id=13193 Reading the reply may give you a better insight into his character and help you determine his motives. [2] pg, 'The 18 mistakes that kill startups' http://paulgraham.com/startupmistakes.html http://paulgraham.com/startupmistakes.html
- gyro_robo 20y ago
  [2] pg, 'The 18 mistakes that kill startups' Looks like it's time to make that _19_.
- jaggederest 20y ago

That's the stupidest thing I've ever seen someone attach their name to.

by far33d 20y ago

That's the stupidest thing I've ever seen someone attach their name to.

jward 20y ago

Spend some time on the internet and that will change quickly. There's always enough stupid to go around and astound you. Either this guy is full of bs and is an attention whore, or YC's interview process has just been validated. Anyone with ethics like those I wouldn't want to invest my time, money, and support into either.

nostrademons 20y ago
It's this guy: http://news.ycombinator.com/comments?id=9965 http://news.ycombinator.com/comments?id=9965 Personally, I think he was joking, but I can understand why PG banned him. Potential YC companies have to trust that YC is not going to blab their secrets across the net; YC's informal commitment to confidentiality is all they have, and a lot more than most VCs give. It's all rendered moot if one of the other applicants sells their secrets to the highest bidder. Joking or not, it's not something you want to suggest that you'd do, given how much it matters to others.
- Sam_Odio 20y ago
  What was he banned from? It looks like he's still posting on News.YC. I guess banned just means YC has decided not to invest in the guy, permanently? At least it looks like he learned from his mistakes, props to him for being so honest about it.
  - rms 20y ago
    "I guess banned just means YC has decided not to invest in the guy, permanently?" Yes... I was probably a bad candidate for Y Combinator anyways, so it was a good decision on their part.

bootload 20y ago

Hands up who makes mistakes? I do, usually technical, a lot social but some mistakes reveal more about character. Character is lot harder to judge than skillset, passion and being smart. Character means you can trust this person, know that they will do what they say they will do. Do the right thing. Two instances I've seen where someones character has been exposed, one resulted in sacking (trying to hack the server & being caught, then police being called) and the other - hacking (after being in the company for 1 day, hacked root, added themselves to wheel & logged in externally via ssh, ordered software on company money). What was their motive? Curiosity, greed? I don't know. I do know I wouldn't want to work with them. You simply can't trust them to do the right thing. From the looks this bloke is pretty young & eager. [0], [1] Reading the post does expose a character flaw (we all have them), impatience. More and more I'm reading of people getting frustrated in not getting acceptance as if this is their only shot. Now or never. This is simply not the case. In fact if you think this I really question you determination and resolve. Now back to 'cash for comments'. Inside information for the highest bidder. So what was the cash for? Well to start the startup of course. Just another way to raise money? Well it's pretty stupid, ill planned and looking at the responses out of step in what's expected. And to do it on such a high-profile site with your name. That's punishment enough. Maybe there ought to be another item added in, 'Startup Mistakes'. [2] Perhaps what should be added is something about "how you respond to failure & setback". What is the right way? What is the wrong way explaining what you have to loose. Reference [0] bootload, 'What's the best thing you could be working on, and why aren't you?': http://news.ycombinator.com/comments?id=13193 http://news.ycombinator.com/comments?id=13193 [1] In a post I added on what 'best is the best idea you could be working on' rms gave this reply ~http://news.ycombinator.com/comments?id=13193 http://news.ycombinator.com/comments?id=13193 Reading the reply may give you a better insight into his character and help you determine his motives. [2] pg, 'The 18 mistakes that kill startups' http://paulgraham.com/startupmistakes.html http://paulgraham.com/startupmistakes.html

gyro_robo 20y ago
[2] pg, 'The 18 mistakes that kill startups' Looks like it's time to make that _19_.
jaggederest 20y ago