Before you read the YC email or answer PG call, read this.

This is getting creepy, I'm getting out of here.

Yeah, it is, a bit. Don't get too worked up over this, guys. We're just trying to cook up a new model for seed funding, not starting a cult.

Does this mean I have to tear down my PG posters and little statue I built?

Fusilli Paul.

Back away, SHARK!

Guys. I apologize to anyone who felt this is too serious for this audience.The item wasn't focused on YC, but to whatever you are seeking. What I am saying is that in every journey they will come decisive moments, but what is more important is how we react to those moments. I wasn't suggesting that you should eat, drink, sleep and breath startup (although I do, but then again, I am no role model) as in a cult but really simply showing people what I have experienced here http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47232. In other words there is more to YC then being accepted

Not really a big deal. It just sounded overdramatized. PG has written things that came across the wrong way too.

Blasphemer!

I apologize if yesterday's post sparked some sort of mushy reflection on rejection. Not my intention, honestly.

Well, Y Combinator is lead by a guru who possesses arcane powers and who recruits young boys over the internet to travel far away from their homes to live in the YScraper (aka The Compound) and work for below minimum wages with the promise of epic wealth and enlightenment.

Actually I'm not a big fan of that building. It's too expensive.

Have you thought about buying some land in Guyana, clearing out the brush, and starting a new settlement...?

Malaria?

Idea: you mentioned starting a city in the past. This summer when I was driving my wife and her parents around Oregon[1], we happened to drive through the ex-Rajneeshpuram[2]. If you could get a decent internet connection happening, that would be a great place to build a hackerville - it's beautiful country, has a lot of facilities already there, and hey, maybe you can start your own collection of Rolls Royces. I don't want to have to dress up in orange though.

[1] http://padovachronicles.welton.it/articles/2007/08/31/the-wi...

[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rashneeshpuram

you have been around for 20 days only. You will see a lot creepier. Here and on your way to success. If you run away from YC because of my 15 lines, I doubt how you will do as a startupreneur. EDIT: Sorry sbh i shouldn't comment on the 20 days. that was a lil mean.

Most of the successful entrepreneurs I know are firmly grounded in reality. To my knowledge, none of them have suffered by avoiding crazies.

thank you for insulting my little bitty of intelligence. touche.

At least no one has yet publicly threatened suicide, unlike most other web forums.

Especially creepy for those of us just here for the news. It would be useful to be able to distinguish between posts and linked news articles from the front page.

You can, just look at the domain (or lack thereof).

I found it hilariously creepy, couldn't stop laughing.

To continue the metaphor for a bit, here's some apropos consolation for any who don't get good news tomorrow:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Skye_Boat_Song

 Chorus:
 Speed bonnie boat like a bird on the wing,
 Onward, the sailors cry.
 Carry the lad that's born to be king
 Over the sea to Skye.

 Loud the winds howl, loud the waves roar,
 Thunderclaps rend the air,
 Baffled, our foes stand by the shore,
 Follow they will not dare.

 Chorus
 
 Many's the lad fought on that day,
 Well the Claymore could wield,
 When the night came, silently lay
 Dead in Culloden's field.
 
 Chorus

 Though the waves leap, soft shall ye sleep,
 Ocean's a royal bed.
 Rock'd in the deep Flora will keep
 Watch o'er your weary head.

 Chorus

 Burned are our homes, exile and death,
 Scattered the loyal men.
 Yet ere the sword cool in the sheath,
 Charlie will come again.

 Chorus

I personally believe that submitting an application to YC is an experience itself and whether we will be invited or not, it gave me few minutes to step back to look at a big picture and get more inspiration to continue working.

I agree 100%. Writing that app was extremely beneficial in itself. It is an excellent forcing device to stop and think about the difficult questions.

Indeed it is an experience.

More hackers should become writers.

Friend, this post is very, very poorly written. Hackers need to open up a book first.

Little (useless) trivia: if we assume that a startup has 10% chance of succeeding (regardless of one's experience/whatever), then there is a 52% chance that your 7th (or maybe earlier) startup will succeed.

Unless you believe what they say about Statistical Independence which says that you are therefore still one of the startups that had a 10% chance of suceeding the other times "regardless of on's experience".

You know, I tried about five times to read this before I finally gripped the edge of my desk and forced myself to finish it.

Not sure what the point of this was, but it comes off as trying to sound 'deep' and actually saying nothing.

So the only reason I'm bothering to post this is to say: use paragraphs so it's at least easier to get from the right side of the line to the left side of the next!

"Before you read the YC email or answer PG call, read this."

This is a great title, rokhayakebe is a marketing genius! I think every single YC user have read this thread!

Aye, it was a good title and it did catch my eye.

And just to pass on another link: http://www.foundersatwork.com/1/post/2007/10/what-no-means.h...

Good luck to every one who applied. Keep your fingers-crossed, I know mine are.

R.

You know you have been eaten by a 'shark' when you become one yourself. The only way out is through.

I love the reference to 'safe-mode'. Subtle! Really subtle!