Hacker News Reader

Comment by rev_bird | Hacker News Reader

I'm trying to figure out a way to articulate why "I still want my $20K" seems to me.

The way this whole thing was handled stinks, and I'm sorry you got screwed by a poorly thought-out "contest." But it seems like the YCF deal isn't solely about the money -- they're trying to find companies to work with. Honestly, did you... want that? Or just the $20,000 that keeps getting mentioned?

View on HN

YC's values are so diametrically opposed to my own that I thought it would be interesting for everyone to have me go through the program.

As for my demands to get paid, I had a clever idea about how to use the money, and I'm miffed that I won't get a chance to do it.

Can you explain a little bit about how your values don't align with YC's values? It would be interesting to hear your thoughts.

If you don't mind me asking, how would you have used the money, if you were accepted into the program?

Re. the former, I would start by reading e.g. http://idlewords.com/2015/11/the_advertising_bubble.htm and http://idlewords.com/talks/internet_with_a_human_face.htm

You're saying (a) YC's values are diametrically opposed to yours, (b) your call with Kevin wasn't successful, and (c) YCF isn't designed for companies like yours—but adhering rigidly to the original guidelines you still ought to get your bag of cash.

Basically you tried gaming the system, with your fanbase who voted for you despite your comments like "I will go through YC like a bowling ball," and now you're protesting that YC won't let you. You don't even like YC. May I ask, out of curiosity, why you're doing this?

It's odd to criticize me for gaming the system given the name of this website.

No, that part's fine. But you're protesting that an organization you've more or less openly criticized won't let you game them.

More specifically, an organization that's willing to burn a huge amount of credibility in order to avoid a tiny investment in an already-profitable (cf pg on ramen profitability) business whose proprietor doesn't fully conform with their arbitrary values. Given this, is the overall diversity of other YC founders any surprise?

Tell me about a time you hacked a system.

I think you should realize that pinboard's very nature and existence is a wonderful hack of the SV and "web 2.0" mindset and ecosystem.

You'd be surprised to learn than hackers are more than computer guys (even in the original e.g. MIT sense), and systems are far more than computer systems.

He said he would go through YC "like a bowling ball through a python" ... sometimes you look at an organization that, overall, you like and appreciate, and yet still think it needs a massive dose of fiber.

I genuinely wanted to see what would happen with a YC/Maciej arrangement, and not just for entertainment purposes. I think they might have been good for eachother.

Why do I have a suspicion that the planned use of the money is something KLF-esque? :)

The Alameda-Weehawken Burrito Tunnel?

Reply on news.ycombinator.com