Move Slow and Fix Things (2024)

I agree with you and I want to do the same. That's why I work in cyber security, where we push back and think of the company and customers before short-term profits.

The issue is, executives believe we have to push features first or else some mysterious competition runs us into the ground. Or sometimes even that saving on security will give them money.

And since these people have the power, it's hard to avoid them.

VC model is not the norm. It's only in This HN corner that it is.

The norm is vast business where tech is ean enabler, not the actual thing itself.

It's just the get rich quick story of VC path that pulled a certain type of introverted high iq personality to it.

AI is now showing that emperor has no clothes.

I think the nasty truth is that a lot of people starting startups seeking VC-level funds are hoping for unicorn status, ego boosts, huge wealth. And not much else. Meanwhile a lot of everyday businesses are just ... existing, growing gradually, working hard for their customers. Somehow the VC model of startup became the norm. It's odd really. It's one of many methods of funding. But I guess it comes with a feeling of having 'made it' before uhh 'making it'.

Thanks for the perspective Matthias. I find myself constantly torn between the two camps. Paul Graham and YC representing one side and DHH and Basecamp the other. I see beauty on both sides. And I think there is a lot fertile middle ground…