That's not just YC interview advice, that's advice for life. The ability to recognize good ideas in others is a far rarer skill than being able to come up with

That's not just YC interview advice, that's advice for life. The ability to recognize good ideas in others is a far rarer skill than being able to come up with good ideas yourself. And, since there are far more others than selfs in the world, it tends to be a more useful skill as well. Even if you disagree with advice being offered, showing respect for the ideas of the person offering the advice by at least pondering it will make the advice-giver feel good about themselves and therefore like you.