I think DM kind of missed the point of what YC is doing here.
Their argument is not that smart people can just make anything work, but that smart people who have the desire to change things in the world for the better almost always have an idea lingering in their head.
They just need help finding out what that idea is and YC finds they are good at helping people do that.
Think about how many people left good companies for bad ideas and pivoted to something else.
With Dustin's point of view they would have been stupid for leaving said big company in the first place, but alot of times the struggles after leaving the security blanket are what make the greatest ideas come to life.
I hope YC continues to be transparent with the results of this experiment, I think it could prove to be even better for the valley as it gives people who are truly qualified the confidence to do something without feeling like they are going at it alone.
In my experience some of the most risk-averse people who think the least of themselves are some of the smartest people I know.
I'd be willing to bet I'm not the only one who sees that pattern.
Their argument is not that smart people can just make anything work, but that smart people who have the desire to change things in the world for the better almost always have an idea lingering in their head.
They just need help finding out what that idea is and YC finds they are good at helping people do that.
Think about how many people left good companies for bad ideas and pivoted to something else.
With Dustin's point of view they would have been stupid for leaving said big company in the first place, but alot of times the struggles after leaving the security blanket are what make the greatest ideas come to life.
I hope YC continues to be transparent with the results of this experiment, I think it could prove to be even better for the valley as it gives people who are truly qualified the confidence to do something without feeling like they are going at it alone.
In my experience some of the most risk-averse people who think the least of themselves are some of the smartest people I know.
I'd be willing to bet I'm not the only one who sees that pattern.