5 ms·
congrats to Y Combinator, Paul, and Harj. it's an interesting choice to reinforce the demographic biases rather than trying to counter them. when you decided
by jdp23 16y ago
congrats to Y Combinator, Paul, and Harj.
it's an interesting choice to reinforce the demographic biases rather than trying to counter them. when you decided to add two partners, did you consider any women?
- YuriNiyazov 16y agoI don't think that's how it works. YC didn't decide that 'its time to add two partners' and then start looking for candidates. What actually happened is that there were people who were already acting like partners in everything but title, and this is just a formalization of that.
- jdp23 16y agoin other words, they didn't bother to think about the risks of reinforcing their blindspots (or the opportunities to counter). a couple of guys were there and doing the job so they formalized it.
- YuriNiyazov 16y agoNope, not "in other words". That's not even remotely close to what I said.
- jodrellblank 16y agoIt looks very close to what you said, (it just adds the claim that they didn't consider acting otherwise).
- jdp23 16y agoaccording to the interview with Paul B in the LA Times, "Paul Graham had mentioned it several years back but I was looking to start FriendFeed at the time. It’s hard to do anything else when you are trying to start a start-up. He mentioned it again this summer and it got me thinking again." So it sounds like they actually _did_ seek out at least one candidate.
- jdp23 16y agoi was surprised to see this downvoted. it seemed to me that i had introduced a fact that directly contradicted YuriNiyazov's point above. people on HN pride themselves on being evidence based. what am i missing?
- YuriNiyazov 16y agoActually, what you are missing is the subtext of my original message. I have to go now and tend to my startup, but if you want to email me directly I'll respond when I can
- jdp23 16y agoi don't really like email ... how about Facebook? here's some subtext for my question: http://www.talesfromthe.net/jon/?p=2091 http://www.talesfromthe.net/jon/?p=2091
- YuriNiyazov 16y agoNot exactly. Before and during his time at FF, PB was informally involved with YC by dropping by often to chat with startups, and probably in other ways. Saying to him "let's get you involved more and formally" is not the same as seeking out a candidate, because "seeking a candidate" implies that there are a few people available for a position, and you choose one. In the YC case, however, it was probably "either with PB or without PB", not "either with PB or with someone else"
- jodrellblank 16y agoWhy are you downvoting such a good point? It's an often repeated idea around here that you should partner up with people who add things to your company that you don't add yourself, so "we met and liked him instantly" should be a warning flag to consider that you might be doing what feels good not what will help most. YC might have considered or not, but don't downvote someone for asking, eh?
- deleted 16y ago[deleted]
- jdp23 16y agoThanks for the comment. My summary of the conversation so far at http://www.talesfromthe.net/jon/?p=2091&cpage=1#comment-103800 http://www.talesfromthe.net/jon/?p=2091&cpage=1#comment-...
- jacoblyles 16y agoDemographics are a distant 100th to competence, talent, personality, and 97 factors of more import. If anybody thinks otherwise, let them build a diversity rainbow startup fund that outperforms the rest.