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Coincidentally, I had run into it recently. I wanted to ask pg the following: - Around 12:30 you say that there is a combination of 3 things that drives hacker

Coincidentally, I had run into it recently. I wanted to ask pg the following: - Around 12:30 you say that there is a combination of 3 things that drives hackers: 1) the desire to get rich (so they could be "free") 2) the desire to "make something" 3) the desire for "power". If that is still your observation, then how does it relate to the change in YC focus to admit a nonprofit startup? I mean, by definition, shouldn't the hackers doing a nonprofit startup give up on 1) above?

pg 13y ago
The reason they want to be free is to work on what they want. If someone starts a nonprofit that they expect to be their life's work, they've achieved the same result (though perhaps with a bit more risk).
- paulbjensen 13y ago
  As a developer watching that video, that line was the one that stood out the most. There is nothing more frustrating than to be asked to build something using old tools when better options exist, or when you are asked to build apps that don't stretch your abilities, or when you work for people who don't understand how software can change the way that their business operates (who tend to not be technical).
  - bliti 13y ago
    Very, very true. > when you work for people who don't understand how software can change the way that their business operates (who tend to not be technical). This is rather frustrating for me. I love automating labor, and making things more efficient. But people won't trust a computer to do repetitive work as much as they'd trust a person who is more prone to errors. Plus they don't seem to understand how it impacts their finances. If you pay me $5K to automate very labor intensive tasks and processes that take 2-3 people to do, then you are making money. Even if workers are paid minimum wage, the business is going to start making money on the investment after the first month. Without the extra set of issues that employees bring in. I also want to add that it is a bit frustrating when you are told to work on a code base that is in an obvious need of a cleanup and targeted refactor. You spend more time fixing issues that writing code. And must somehow explain why progress is not being made, because new features are still waiting to be incorporated. Its also a rather boring.
  - pjmlp 13y ago
    You just described the world of most Fortune 500 companies.
- eulerphi 13y ago
  Yet another reminder that passive income is the greatest arsenal in a programmers' toolbelt. Not having a salaried job gives one more time and energy, total focus. Having total focus and ability to also indulge in leisure allows one's true goals to be attacked and achieved. It's interesting that my life right now is based around 'becoming rich', well actually just self-sufficient, so I can then work on my true projects. Life after life ;-) Let's just hope I don't get too old before the passive income kicks in. Thanks for all your essays and other forms of enlightenment Paul.
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pg 13y ago

The reason they want to be free is to work on what they want. If someone starts a nonprofit that they expect to be their life's work, they've achieved the same result (though perhaps with a bit more risk).

paulbjensen 13y ago
As a developer watching that video, that line was the one that stood out the most. There is nothing more frustrating than to be asked to build something using old tools when better options exist, or when you are asked to build apps that don't stretch your abilities, or when you work for people who don't understand how software can change the way that their business operates (who tend to not be technical).
- bliti 13y ago
  Very, very true. > when you work for people who don't understand how software can change the way that their business operates (who tend to not be technical). This is rather frustrating for me. I love automating labor, and making things more efficient. But people won't trust a computer to do repetitive work as much as they'd trust a person who is more prone to errors. Plus they don't seem to understand how it impacts their finances. If you pay me $5K to automate very labor intensive tasks and processes that take 2-3 people to do, then you are making money. Even if workers are paid minimum wage, the business is going to start making money on the investment after the first month. Without the extra set of issues that employees bring in. I also want to add that it is a bit frustrating when you are told to work on a code base that is in an obvious need of a cleanup and targeted refactor. You spend more time fixing issues that writing code. And must somehow explain why progress is not being made, because new features are still waiting to be incorporated. Its also a rather boring.
- pjmlp 13y ago
  You just described the world of most Fortune 500 companies.
eulerphi 13y ago
Yet another reminder that passive income is the greatest arsenal in a programmers' toolbelt. Not having a salaried job gives one more time and energy, total focus. Having total focus and ability to also indulge in leisure allows one's true goals to be attacked and achieved. It's interesting that my life right now is based around 'becoming rich', well actually just self-sufficient, so I can then work on my true projects. Life after life ;-) Let's just hope I don't get too old before the passive income kicks in. Thanks for all your essays and other forms of enlightenment Paul.

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