Since this is YC company, don't you happen to now if there is some not-trivially-googleable place where I can read about their agenda or fundraising pitch?
On the surface, the ability to convert a PDF to an almost-lossless HTML document is great technology for those who use archaic browsers that balk at PDF files. For this, I give them a pass for inserting obnoxious dynamic advertisements in between pages of the document and in the sidebar.
The actual service, however, is misleading and downright hostile towards users. Let me try to download the linked PDF from Scribd, using the attractive green "Download" button. Oh, I need an account. Let me log in with Facebook. This is what it requests from me:
* My name, profile picture, gender, networks, list of friends, and other shared profile information.
* My e-mail address, so it can send me e-mail.
* The ability to post to my Wall.
* The ability to access all posts in my News feed, including friends' posts.
* Access to my data even when I'm not using Scribd.
Mind you, this is just to download a PDF, which Scribd did not author!
What's worse, after some amount of time, the linked PDF will be moved into the Scribd Archive, from which it can only be downloaded after you upload something new, or agree to pay at least $5. After opening up your private life to Scribd, you can open up your wallet too.