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It totally amazes me how brainwashing things like this are to young founders and entrepreneurs on HN. It sends a message that getting into YC is way to import
by larrys 13y ago
It totally amazes me how brainwashing things like this are to young founders and entrepreneurs on HN.
It sends a message that getting into YC is way to important to miss and if you don't get accepted you stand little chance of getting anywhere on the startup scene. Or in life.
I can't imagine this is the spirit that PG and now Sam Altman are interested in portraying.
YC came about in 2005. There were companies that were formed prior to that that have been hugely successful. And there have been companies formed after that that have been successful. Not to mention a whole lot of lifestyle businesses. There are also many other incubators, mentors, investors, angels etc.
I think it's really dangerous to get all worked up as if not getting into YC is pivotal in a non correctable way.
That said I understand the anxiety. But I don't think things like this really help because they reinforce the implied importance more than anything else.
- esharef 13y agoHi, Thanks for pointing this out. I should probably include something in here that clearly states: Getting into YC won't make you successful or vice versa. No, it doesn't matter that much whether you get in, but people still care a lot and my point was simply to say: It's great to care, but don't let that fear paralyze you. Just apply and be a bit zen about the outcome either way.
- larrys 13y agoWell in case I wasn't clear let me restate my point. I think it's great and obviously a huge benefit to get into YC, Harvard, Wharton, or get funded by a top tier VC all of that. Or to marry a beautiful women, handsome man, someone with money, be an NBA or sports athlete you know all of that. What to me is bad is reinforcement of something that makes people feel as if they are failures and "can't cut the mustard" if they don't get in (or achieve something). I don't know if that is even avoidable but wanted to point it out. It kind of smacks of "penis" envy and/or keeping up with the joneses. For the record though: "Getting into YC won't make you successful " Getting into YC or past any filter is for sure a big benefit. No doubt about that. "it doesn't matter that much whether you get in" It does matter if you get in. Of course it does. I am acknowledging that in response to you. But I wouldn't write a blog post saying that because I feel it reinforces a stereotype of halo that I don't think is helpful. And perhaps becomes a self fulfilling prophecy as well.