I doubt there's a YC-type startup that can employ a full time UX designer, or needs to, really. IIRC I once read that Amazon employs one UI dedicated person. I

I doubt there's a YC-type startup that can employ a full time UX designer, or needs to, really. IIRC I once read that Amazon employs one UI dedicated person. It makes sense, since UX (no offense to UX experts) tends to be less work intensive than code or design - you don't spend hours pixel pushing or debugging. And if you're not the NY Times or Amazon, you can do fine by hiring a consultant when needed. Or you just take the Zappos/Craigslist route, and listen to no one but your users. BTW, a title like "Fire Your x" is lame. Firing someone should be a last resort, not something you do after reading a couple of blog posts.