This applies to a subset of Silicon Valley-style, hyper consumer oriented, VC-backable startups that at the end of the day, are fairly interchangeable.
How to succeed in sports? practice, focus, take care of your diet and health
How to succeed in a large company? keep your boss happy, work hard, focus
etc
This is not Altman's fault. I don't think the videos can -- or are supposed to -- replace actual detailed daily advice on struggles which, presumably, you get if you join Ycombinator.
I don't think that "focusing on bringing stories of various startups to light" is all that different from what he is doing. The same criticism applies: it is their story not yours.
And the same caveat applies: it is a sample of the kind of advice you will get.
The problem doesn't just lie in the answer, but the question itself. When you ask a question such as "How can I do well in life?", that lends itself to generic bullshit advice.
My problem with Sam Altman is that he keeps perpetuating these kinds of questions as if he is going to help people. I am disagreeing with both what he is trying to appoint as a question, i.e. "How to success with a startup?" and his generic answers to his generic questions.
It helps nobody. Stop asking these questions.
I am addicted to them. As a kid I used to read books on judo, karate, the guitar, programming, and how to be a spy.
I now read books on startups, investing, programming and writing.
The actual improvement comes from the practice, but I still feel the books and advice play a critical role. They can do the following:
1. They pump me up to go and practice.
2. They actually demonstrate particular exercises or thought experiments.
3. They just get me thinking about the particular item
4. They make me fell less alone because others are thinking about it
5. They make the activity seem important in the life affirming sense of it is worth my time
I think all we can ask of "startup advice" is that it fill a similar niche.
Even if "generic advice" isn't worth anything else, the psychological benefits of keeping a subject at the front of your mind, being reminded something is possible, and building excitement are valuable.
I think you may be just looking from your own point of view that you find things obvious but that doesn't mean general advice won't help others.