Well that is true sure. But he wouldn't be PG (in the context of my point) if he hadn't made money based on what he has done. I mean I'd never read what he sa

Well that is true sure. But he wouldn't be PG (in the context of my point) if he hadn't made money based on what he has done. I mean I'd never read what he said if he was just a guy who did Lisp and wrote essays. And if I wanted 'my aunt' to read what he said a hook wouldn't be 'he went to Harvard and is a programmer and wrote a book..'. But money? That attracts people and you know makes you popular and accepted by a much larger group of people. Just like Wozniak wouldn't be Woz if there was not money attached to what he has done. Now to support your point I could also point out many people who are revered on HN who are not associated with making money for sure. So it is (I agree) misplaced to tie my comment to having money maybe I should have said 'fame' was the currency. Taking it one step further let's say you and I meet on an airplane. I find out what you do and that you are tied into YC and HN etc and Graham. I know who Graham is. So sure I am going to be more impressed then if you are doing the same thing for someone who has not scored it big. Let's take it one step further for discussion. Let's say my aunt runs into you on an airplane. She has never heard of YC HN or Paul Graham. So you rattle off some YC companies she has heard of and even uses. All the sudden you are viewed in a different light. PG has a halo plain and simple. That halo can even be extended in a way by people surrounding him. Part of that halo is as a result of money plain and simple. Money is viewed as success and envied. Sure he's not a billionaire (maybe) but certainly is viewed as probably having a large amount of money (I do as well btw..)