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I'm not sure how one's interest in staying hotels necessitates a vested interest in seeing AirBnB fail. I'm pretty sure there are people in the "hotel industry

I'm not sure how one's interest in staying hotels necessitates a vested interest in seeing AirBnB fail. I'm pretty sure there are people in the "hotel industry" that have also used services like VRBO or AirBnB for lodging. Personally, I read Paul's article more in the sense that technology isn't important, remembering the human component in all this. If one is a company founder, your users are more than just data points. Disclaimer - like Paul, I actually enjoy using a fountain pen. Specifically to the AirBnB fiasco? I don't know who or what is right here, it is an issue between an individual and a company that will require the two of them working together to resolve the situation. I've used AirBnB a few times (as someone staying somewhere) and plan on using them in the future. That said, I use as much caution as I can in booking a place -- reviews are important. This particular story being turned into a YC/HN vs TC issue is silly. News is useful, but again AirBnB and EJ need to resolve this between themselves.

meinthecity 15y ago
Did you miss the part about his parents owning a hotel or are you willfully ignoring it? That is the definition of vested interest.
- Hisoka 15y ago
  Please, like AirBnb will cost his parents their living... AirBnb will always remain a very small niche
  - meinthecity 15y ago
    Did I say it would? Having blood relatives financially invested in an industry you are commenting on is the actual definition of vested interest. OP conve iently ignored that part. I simply pointed out the fact.
- Gatsky 15y ago
  It's an opinion piece. You can pick any two sentences out of the story and realize this is someone's personal view. It isn't a clinical trial or a judiciary verdict. I think it's largely irrelevant that his parents own a hotel. Having a particular view on something which invariably arises out of the sum total of your cultural and personal influences is not a vested interest.
- jmspring 15y ago
  "Owning a UK hotel" or "managing a large chain" is a long way from being someone like Steve Wynn, the Hilton's, or other large controlling entities that might actually care if this was actually affecting their business. Furthermore, Paul has been pretty vocal about what does/doesn't work in the hotel industry. I'm pretty sure his hotel ties don't give a rat's backside about his article, TC, and the issues AirBnB are facing. The conspiracy theory angle is pretty dumb, in my opinion. Might there be people trying to take advantage of the situation? Sure. We've seen at least one article here on YC about an AirBnB competitor plugging the need for customer/host verification. I don't think the hotel industry really cares at this point. VRBO and other rental sites as well as CL are the near term losers for AirBnB. Two million arrangements in 2+ years is a drop in the bucket for the hotel industry world wide. Furthermore, the majority of the traveling populace don't use such services.
  - meinthecity 15y ago
    You dismissed the idea of a conflict by quoting half the disclosure. All I said was he has a vested interest as is obvious from his disclosure. You are the one going on about conspiracies.

meinthecity 15y ago

Did you miss the part about his parents owning a hotel or are you willfully ignoring it? That is the definition of vested interest.

Hisoka 15y ago
Please, like AirBnb will cost his parents their living... AirBnb will always remain a very small niche
- meinthecity 15y ago
  Did I say it would? Having blood relatives financially invested in an industry you are commenting on is the actual definition of vested interest. OP conve iently ignored that part. I simply pointed out the fact.
Gatsky 15y ago
It's an opinion piece. You can pick any two sentences out of the story and realize this is someone's personal view. It isn't a clinical trial or a judiciary verdict. I think it's largely irrelevant that his parents own a hotel. Having a particular view on something which invariably arises out of the sum total of your cultural and personal influences is not a vested interest.
jmspring 15y ago
"Owning a UK hotel" or "managing a large chain" is a long way from being someone like Steve Wynn, the Hilton's, or other large controlling entities that might actually care if this was actually affecting their business. Furthermore, Paul has been pretty vocal about what does/doesn't work in the hotel industry. I'm pretty sure his hotel ties don't give a rat's backside about his article, TC, and the issues AirBnB are facing. The conspiracy theory angle is pretty dumb, in my opinion. Might there be people trying to take advantage of the situation? Sure. We've seen at least one article here on YC about an AirBnB competitor plugging the need for customer/host verification. I don't think the hotel industry really cares at this point. VRBO and other rental sites as well as CL are the near term losers for AirBnB. Two million arrangements in 2+ years is a drop in the bucket for the hotel industry world wide. Furthermore, the majority of the traveling populace don't use such services.
- meinthecity 15y ago
  You dismissed the idea of a conflict by quoting half the disclosure. All I said was he has a vested interest as is obvious from his disclosure. You are the one going on about conspiracies.