5 ms·

> When I started an organization which was taken over in a rather hostile way, I was very careful to make a bunch of legally-binding promises before the takeove

> When I started an organization which was taken over in a rather hostile way, I was very careful to make a bunch of legally-binding promises before the takeover happened, to help prevent it from becoming too evil. I'm glad you had the presence of mind to do this and I'd be interested to hear your hostile takeover story. Thanks in advance.

JoshTriplett 6y ago
I'd love to hear that story as well, and the nature of the legally binding promises you managed to make.
- disgruntledphd2 6y ago
  It's probably too soon. Over the course of my career, I've encountered a significant number of really juicy stories that I tend not to explain, as there's a lot to lose and not very much to gain. Traditionally, the purpose of autobiography is to tell all of these stories.
  - wegs 6y ago
    This is exactly the case. I've got enough potential liability piled up there that I think some of these stories will only come out once I'm good and dead. Not just legal liability -- although I did sign an NDA/non-disparage -- bringing up dirt from past businesses is like mudwrestling with a pig: everyone ends up looking dirty. In this case, I'm glad to say I acted with complete integrity at every point, but knowing the parties involved, we'd end up in a cesspool of rumors and falsehoods, and no one would come out looking clean. Live. Learn. Move onto the next business. Give advice in generics. Some people will believe you, and others won't.
    - disgruntledphd2 6y ago
      My philosophy exactly. The phrase wrestling with a pig in the muck comes to mind....
jjeaff 6y ago
I don't think a promise to offer something free forever is necessarily binding unless there is consideration from the other party. Pay a one time fee and get unlimited minutes forever, that would likely be binding. But in this case, recipients of the freebie didn't have to offer anything to Travis in exchange.
- type0 6y ago
  > Pay a one time fee and get unlimited minutes forever, that would likely be binding. Would or wouldn't you'll never know, looking at you HP, ink for life =?> ya right https://www.theregister.com/2020/11/12/hp_free_printing/ https://www.theregister.com/2020/11/12/hp_free_printing/
  - jjeaff 6y ago
    I'm sure there will be some ensuing legal battles over that one.

JoshTriplett 6y ago

I'd love to hear that story as well, and the nature of the legally binding promises you managed to make.

disgruntledphd2 6y ago
It's probably too soon. Over the course of my career, I've encountered a significant number of really juicy stories that I tend not to explain, as there's a lot to lose and not very much to gain. Traditionally, the purpose of autobiography is to tell all of these stories.
- wegs 6y ago
  This is exactly the case. I've got enough potential liability piled up there that I think some of these stories will only come out once I'm good and dead. Not just legal liability -- although I did sign an NDA/non-disparage -- bringing up dirt from past businesses is like mudwrestling with a pig: everyone ends up looking dirty. In this case, I'm glad to say I acted with complete integrity at every point, but knowing the parties involved, we'd end up in a cesspool of rumors and falsehoods, and no one would come out looking clean. Live. Learn. Move onto the next business. Give advice in generics. Some people will believe you, and others won't.
  - disgruntledphd2 6y ago
    My philosophy exactly. The phrase wrestling with a pig in the muck comes to mind....

jjeaff 6y ago

I don't think a promise to offer something free forever is necessarily binding unless there is consideration from the other party. Pay a one time fee and get unlimited minutes forever, that would likely be binding. But in this case, recipients of the freebie didn't have to offer anything to Travis in exchange.

type0 6y ago
> Pay a one time fee and get unlimited minutes forever, that would likely be binding. Would or wouldn't you'll never know, looking at you HP, ink for life =?> ya right https://www.theregister.com/2020/11/12/hp_free_printing/ https://www.theregister.com/2020/11/12/hp_free_printing/
- jjeaff 6y ago
  I'm sure there will be some ensuing legal battles over that one.