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People are told to "hustle", "be naughty", and "break things" - and are applauded for it in founder stories. Small wonder something like this happens.

by kmfrk 12y ago

waterlesscloud 12y ago
Indeed. If only he'd found a way to systematically make money by breaking the law and "disrupting" things, he'd be getting a valuation in the billions.
- calibraxis 12y ago
  Monetizing investors as unconsenting platforms... Might be worth covering in "How to Start a Startup Class".
hkmurakami 12y ago
A natural extension of "it's easier to apologize later than to ask for permission." I'm curious to see how this plays out in terms of YC's response, because as a prominent player and popularly accepted thought leader in the start up "industry", their response will set the tone and draw the line in what is seen as acceptable for " getting things done ". The EFI fine [1] demonstrated that it often pays to be illegal. The banks demonstrate this on a regular basis with their paltry funds and settlements. Will startups/small-tech follow suit? (Well, maybe only towards lay people rather than investors with power and money. Today's lesson: don't mess with people who actually have power!) [1] http://www.engadget.com/2014/10/23/efi-underpaying-workers/ http://www.engadget.com/2014/10/23/efi-underpaying-workers/
stevenjohns 12y ago
There is a big difference between hustling (hardcore sales), being naughty (sneaking into a room you shouldn't, getting your hands on a phone number you shouldn't be able to) and breaking things (manipulating a system to your advantage) to something like this. A combination of above would be to stalk down Tim Ferriss' number, organize $150 in car rental credit or whatever, and then text him to let him know that the car is ready for him. Or, even still, rent a car for him and send it to his building, and let him know its waiting for him. That is an example of breaking the system. Blatantly hacking someone else's phone doesn't do anything for your sales; it doesn't do anything to showcase your product (unless your product is a phone hacking/security device); and there is nothing personal to it at all. That's just my view on it anyway.

People are told to "hustle", "be naughty", and "break things" - and are applauded for it in founder stories. Small wonder something like this happens.

by kmfrk 12y ago

People are told to "hustle", "be naughty", and "break things" - and are applauded for it in founder stories. Small wonder something like this happens.

waterlesscloud 12y ago

Indeed. If only he'd found a way to systematically make money by breaking the law and "disrupting" things, he'd be getting a valuation in the billions.

calibraxis 12y ago
Monetizing investors as unconsenting platforms... Might be worth covering in "How to Start a Startup Class".

hkmurakami 12y ago

A natural extension of "it's easier to apologize later than to ask for permission." I'm curious to see how this plays out in terms of YC's response, because as a prominent player and popularly accepted thought leader in the start up "industry", their response will set the tone and draw the line in what is seen as acceptable for " getting things done ". The EFI fine [1] demonstrated that it often pays to be illegal. The banks demonstrate this on a regular basis with their paltry funds and settlements. Will startups/small-tech follow suit? (Well, maybe only towards lay people rather than investors with power and money. Today's lesson: don't mess with people who actually have power!) [1] http://www.engadget.com/2014/10/23/efi-underpaying-workers/ http://www.engadget.com/2014/10/23/efi-underpaying-workers/

stevenjohns 12y ago

There is a big difference between hustling (hardcore sales), being naughty (sneaking into a room you shouldn't, getting your hands on a phone number you shouldn't be able to) and breaking things (manipulating a system to your advantage) to something like this. A combination of above would be to stalk down Tim Ferriss' number, organize $150 in car rental credit or whatever, and then text him to let him know that the car is ready for him. Or, even still, rent a car for him and send it to his building, and let him know its waiting for him. That is an example of breaking the system. Blatantly hacking someone else's phone doesn't do anything for your sales; it doesn't do anything to showcase your product (unless your product is a phone hacking/security device); and there is nothing personal to it at all. That's just my view on it anyway.