To me, pivot feels like YC saying: hey, we thought you were above the cut, that's why you're here. We know the low likelihood of an idea exploding, let's just g

To me, pivot feels like YC saying: hey, we thought you were above the cut, that's why you're here. We know the low likelihood of an idea exploding, let's just get you focusing on other promising blocks as soon as we hit bedrock. I'm assuming this isn't terribly uncommon, considering the hitrate and actual sunk cost. I see the author's viewpoint from a milder formula: learn, earn, or quit. YC seems to be a perfectly fine place to learn a certain kind of methodology. It can be difficult to balance the value flow, especially when goodwill is involved, but there aren't many places that will give you half a mill and a chance at a dream.