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This kid is crazy. PG, if you look at successful YC startups (Loopt, Reddit, Zenter) has there been any pattern in the character of the founders? I can't imag

This kid is crazy. PG, if you look at successful YC startups (Loopt, Reddit, Zenter) has there been any pattern in the character of the founders? I can't imagine someone with Aaron's character leading a successful company - his history (Infogami)supports this.

dpapathanasiou 19y ago
It's easy to see why Graham would ask him to apply to YC, especially for the first series. He was "famous" in some hacker circles for winning the ArsDigita prize and for his work on RSS, he was willing to move to Cambridge for a summer and work out of an apartment with little compensation. The really interesting part of this, though, is the personal connection Graham had with applicants before they applied to the YC program (other founders accepted by YC tell similar stories). So maybe the lesson here is: get to know Graham personally first, then apply to YC.
adnam 19y ago
Seems a top bloke to me.
electric 19y ago
No, he's smart.
neilk 19y ago
You know, it is possible to do important things, even important things with computers, and not be cut out for a life in business. Once upon a time, for hackers, it was considered a step down to work in industry. However, it's since been shown there's a lot of money to be made, and lately PG's been spreading the gospel about how entrepreneurship is the true calling of a geek. But it's just not always the case. Anyway, even if your premise about Aaron is true, the man's already done more with his short life than almost anybody on this site. Even on the business side. For some reason Aaron feels compelled to talk out almost every personal failing he has in public. I don't know, if the famously mercurial Steve Jobs or Larry Ellison actually recounted all of their meltdowns candidly, they might sound something like Aaron's blog.
SwellJoe 19y ago
When I was his age, I was playing in a hard core industrial metal band (and then only when it was convenient), working part time in the video room at a television station, and sometimes taking classes at community college. He's done all right.
deleted 19y ago
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yters 19y ago
I don't get why people care so much if someone thinks highly of themselves. As long as they aren't hurting me, or really screwing up the world or society, I say more power to them. I'm glad someone's thinks they're up to taking charge of things, so I don't have to and can do the cool stuff instead.

dpapathanasiou 19y ago

It's easy to see why Graham would ask him to apply to YC, especially for the first series. He was "famous" in some hacker circles for winning the ArsDigita prize and for his work on RSS, he was willing to move to Cambridge for a summer and work out of an apartment with little compensation. The really interesting part of this, though, is the personal connection Graham had with applicants before they applied to the YC program (other founders accepted by YC tell similar stories). So maybe the lesson here is: get to know Graham personally first, then apply to YC.

adnam 19y ago

Seems a top bloke to me.

electric 19y ago

No, he's smart.

neilk 19y ago

You know, it is possible to do important things, even important things with computers, and not be cut out for a life in business. Once upon a time, for hackers, it was considered a step down to work in industry. However, it's since been shown there's a lot of money to be made, and lately PG's been spreading the gospel about how entrepreneurship is the true calling of a geek. But it's just not always the case. Anyway, even if your premise about Aaron is true, the man's already done more with his short life than almost anybody on this site. Even on the business side. For some reason Aaron feels compelled to talk out almost every personal failing he has in public. I don't know, if the famously mercurial Steve Jobs or Larry Ellison actually recounted all of their meltdowns candidly, they might sound something like Aaron's blog.

SwellJoe 19y ago

When I was his age, I was playing in a hard core industrial metal band (and then only when it was convenient), working part time in the video room at a television station, and sometimes taking classes at community college. He's done all right.

deleted 19y ago

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yters 19y ago

I don't get why people care so much if someone thinks highly of themselves. As long as they aren't hurting me, or really screwing up the world or society, I say more power to them. I'm glad someone's thinks they're up to taking charge of things, so I don't have to and can do the cool stuff instead.