Read on Twitter
So @sonyasupposedly is explaining why VCBrags is terrible, and the more of her tweets I read, the more I kind of sympathize with the guy
Like, yes, VCs do great work and create value and work with founds who create value ... but, MAN, do I hate that whole California / SV culture
Like, yes, VCs do great work and create value and work with founds who create value ... but, MAN, do I hate that whole California / SV culture
2/
...and thing is, I'm barely exposed to it, and I almost never ever think about it, but on those times when I DO think about it, I see this extremely horrible cross breed between Kim Stanley Robinson 1970s California / Berkeley anti-materialist / surfer / nature lover culture
...and thing is, I'm barely exposed to it, and I almost never ever think about it, but on those times when I DO think about it, I see this extremely horrible cross breed between Kim Stanley Robinson 1970s California / Berkeley anti-materialist / surfer / nature lover culture
3/
...and this ruthless sharks-eating-other-sharks-and-looking-TREMENDOUS-on-Instragram-as-they-do-it culture.
So you get guys who take ADHD drugs to work 19 hour days, and part of the 19 hr days is 1 hour of brand building on social media, and the brand is hippie-overachiever
...and this ruthless sharks-eating-other-sharks-and-looking-TREMENDOUS-on-Instragram-as-they-do-it culture.
So you get guys who take ADHD drugs to work 19 hour days, and part of the 19 hr days is 1 hour of brand building on social media, and the brand is hippie-overachiever
4/
So you get founders dressed in Patagonia taking selfies on a running trail and tweeting that "a 15km run before work helps me center myself and approach cobranding in a customer-first way"
So you get founders dressed in Patagonia taking selfies on a running trail and tweeting that "a 15km run before work helps me center myself and approach cobranding in a customer-first way"
5/
or a VC applauding all of the ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL Pakistani lesbians of color who are doing such amazing work in STEAM incubators, and it was a true honor to chair the TEDx discussion session
or a VC applauding all of the ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL Pakistani lesbians of color who are doing such amazing work in STEAM incubators, and it was a true honor to chair the TEDx discussion session
6/
...and I'm reminded WHY it is that I never see this stuff (or ALMOST never do): it's because I find it so revolting that I try to avoid it whenever I can.
The style is all based around an insanely studied attempt to be "transparent" and "vulnerable" and "aware" and and and
...and I'm reminded WHY it is that I never see this stuff (or ALMOST never do): it's because I find it so revolting that I try to avoid it whenever I can.
The style is all based around an insanely studied attempt to be "transparent" and "vulnerable" and "aware" and and and
7/
I guess at core what I hate most about it is the direct contradiction between the ESPOUSED values and the ACTUAL values.
I am entirely OK with hippies.
I am entirely OK with Gordon Gecko.
I hate Gordon Gecko pretending he's a hippie.
I guess at core what I hate most about it is the direct contradiction between the ESPOUSED values and the ACTUAL values.
I am entirely OK with hippies.
I am entirely OK with Gordon Gecko.
I hate Gordon Gecko pretending he's a hippie.
8/
It's false.
It's false.
9/
So, to the extent that VCBrags was mocking all of the over-the-top signalling and hypocrisy, I like it.
So, to the extent that VCBrags was mocking all of the over-the-top signalling and hypocrisy, I like it.
10/
some of the VC stuff is absolutely terrible, and some is 99.99% fine.
This, for example, is almost entirely fine.
but ... https://twitter.com/sonyasupposedly/status/1301942602980179968
some of the VC stuff is absolutely terrible, and some is 99.99% fine.
This, for example, is almost entirely fine.
but ... https://twitter.com/sonyasupposedly/status/1301942602980179968
11/
...what exactly is this cartoon? It's so innocent, so twee, so studiedly inoffensive.
It's the visual equivalent of every single !@#-damned company posting to Hacker News about how they build their product "with love".
It's Wes Anderson, without the charm.
...what exactly is this cartoon? It's so innocent, so twee, so studiedly inoffensive.
It's the visual equivalent of every single !@#-damned company posting to Hacker News about how they build their product "with love".
It's Wes Anderson, without the charm.
12/
And I have an instinctive negative reaction to people denying their fundamental drives.
If you want sex, ok, admit that you want sex.
If you want food, admit you want food.
If you enjoy technical challenges, or making metric !@#-tons of money, or or or
...just say so.
And I have an instinctive negative reaction to people denying their fundamental drives.
If you want sex, ok, admit that you want sex.
If you want food, admit you want food.
If you enjoy technical challenges, or making metric !@#-tons of money, or or or
...just say so.
13/
Founders and VCs who say that they're building a product "with love" for "the community" in an "open and transparent manner, where we're PROACTIVELY COLLABORATING on MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE with LOCALLY SOURCED CODE AND ETHICALLY HARVESTED DATA BASE TABLES"
ugh
Founders and VCs who say that they're building a product "with love" for "the community" in an "open and transparent manner, where we're PROACTIVELY COLLABORATING on MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE with LOCALLY SOURCED CODE AND ETHICALLY HARVESTED DATA BASE TABLES"
ugh
14/
...it's like some beta SJW hanging around a woman, telling her that he's really impressed by her strength, and he honors her, AS A WOMAN, because she's so strong and brave to deal with the patriarchal blah blah blah...
and
DUDE
WE ALL KNOW YOU JUST WANT TO NAIL HER
...it's like some beta SJW hanging around a woman, telling her that he's really impressed by her strength, and he honors her, AS A WOMAN, because she's so strong and brave to deal with the patriarchal blah blah blah...
and
DUDE
WE ALL KNOW YOU JUST WANT TO NAIL HER
15/
So when I see twee, de-sexed, studiously inoffensive visuals like this...
So when I see twee, de-sexed, studiously inoffensive visuals like this...
16/
...what I see is some sort of repressed person who can't admit that he wants X, and X is actually OK.
The word "repressed" is key here, I think.
To use a stereotype on the left hand side
Christians : Sex :: SV Culture : Money
...what I see is some sort of repressed person who can't admit that he wants X, and X is actually OK.
The word "repressed" is key here, I think.
To use a stereotype on the left hand side
Christians : Sex :: SV Culture : Money
17/
There's this really really really weird cycle where the more you deny something, the more your fetishize it, so the more you deny it, and sublimate it.
Any normal person knows that it's perfectly ok to want money, bc money gives you options and leisure.
There's this really really really weird cycle where the more you deny something, the more your fetishize it, so the more you deny it, and sublimate it.
Any normal person knows that it's perfectly ok to want money, bc money gives you options and leisure.
18/
...but silicon valley is a very weird hybrid, born of ruthless capitalism but also ruthless hippiedom, and that conflict is at the very core of its motivations.
Everyone there wants a successful exit more than anything else ...BUT THEY CAN'T SAY THAT PART OUT LOUD.
...but silicon valley is a very weird hybrid, born of ruthless capitalism but also ruthless hippiedom, and that conflict is at the very core of its motivations.
Everyone there wants a successful exit more than anything else ...BUT THEY CAN'T SAY THAT PART OUT LOUD.
19/
Languages have tons of fascinating features. One is that words take on tabboos, and so other words are used in their place, and then those words get some of the contamination (we've seen this with race etc in English, but it happens in other languages for other taboos)
Languages have tons of fascinating features. One is that words take on tabboos, and so other words are used in their place, and then those words get some of the contamination (we've seen this with race etc in English, but it happens in other languages for other taboos)
20/
So in hybrid SV culture, the urge to make money is front and center, but it is filthy and grotesque, and so must be sublimated.
Founder can't say "I want to be a billionaire". He has to say that he wants to work with great people and empower teams to change the world.
So in hybrid SV culture, the urge to make money is front and center, but it is filthy and grotesque, and so must be sublimated.
Founder can't say "I want to be a billionaire". He has to say that he wants to work with great people and empower teams to change the world.
21/
And if you're FROM that culture, it all makes perfect sense.
...but if you're outside, it looks like so many epicycles of hypocrisy piled atop each other, and it's hilariously stupid, and everyone involved in it is a loser.
And if you're FROM that culture, it all makes perfect sense.
...but if you're outside, it looks like so many epicycles of hypocrisy piled atop each other, and it's hilariously stupid, and everyone involved in it is a loser.
24/
Sonya is part of that culture. She lives near it, and she's young, so she's been steeped in it all of her life.
So she says things like this https://twitter.com/sonyasupposedly/status/1301945685852352513
Sonya is part of that culture. She lives near it, and she's young, so she's been steeped in it all of her life.
So she says things like this https://twitter.com/sonyasupposedly/status/1301945685852352513
25/
Her complain: "Yet another example of shitting on someone's personal growth and accomplishments, "
But the tweet ISN'T saying that the accomplishments and growth are bad.
The tweet is saying that the guy is a braggart, crass, and his SV culture is cringey.
Her complain: "Yet another example of shitting on someone's personal growth and accomplishments, "
But the tweet ISN'T saying that the accomplishments and growth are bad.
The tweet is saying that the guy is a braggart, crass, and his SV culture is cringey.
26/
...and I agree. This is cringey AF.
...and I agree. This is cringey AF.
27/
Paul Graham has an essay on the culture of certain cities, and I think it's Boston where he mentions that there are millionaires who drive dumpy cars, because it's crass to flaunt you wealth
Who puts "scale myself" on a list of goals, checks it off, and then tells everyone?
Paul Graham has an essay on the culture of certain cities, and I think it's Boston where he mentions that there are millionaires who drive dumpy cars, because it's crass to flaunt you wealth
Who puts "scale myself" on a list of goals, checks it off, and then tells everyone?
28/
It's marketing copy posing as 1970s EST / self improvement / eastern mysticism.
It's marketing copy posing as 1970s EST / self improvement / eastern mysticism.
29/
I don't see capitalists, VCs, or founders as "parasites", Chris. I see them as generating value. https://twitter.com/spiderfoods/status/1301946044041826304
I don't see capitalists, VCs, or founders as "parasites", Chris. I see them as generating value. https://twitter.com/spiderfoods/status/1301946044041826304
31/
so anyway, the core disagreement that Sonya and I have is that she sees VC Brags as crapping on the accomplishments, and I think that's bc she's a fish in water and can't see the culture, and I assert it's the CULTURE that is being mocked, not the accomplishments
exeunt
so anyway, the core disagreement that Sonya and I have is that she sees VC Brags as crapping on the accomplishments, and I think that's bc she's a fish in water and can't see the culture, and I assert it's the CULTURE that is being mocked, not the accomplishments
exeunt
32/
Ron LaFlamme, yes.
But also Gavin Belson's guru.
So perfect. https://twitter.com/PereGrimmer/status/1301947636635906048
Ron LaFlamme, yes.
But also Gavin Belson's guru.
So perfect. https://twitter.com/PereGrimmer/status/1301947636635906048
33/
/shrug
I believe in consenting adults, and I stand by the "Wilt Chamberlain" argument in Nozick's Anarchy State and Utopia.
I have seen no arguments that make me question that. https://twitter.com/spiderfoods/status/1301948087951294464
/shrug
I believe in consenting adults, and I stand by the "Wilt Chamberlain" argument in Nozick's Anarchy State and Utopia.
I have seen no arguments that make me question that. https://twitter.com/spiderfoods/status/1301948087951294464
34/
"capital" is just "tools, accumulated over time".
I don't "forge an alliance" with a hammer, I use it.
A factory doesn't "forge an alliance" with me, it hires me.
/shrug https://twitter.com/lbsasquatch/status/1301948117332484096
"capital" is just "tools, accumulated over time".
I don't "forge an alliance" with a hammer, I use it.
A factory doesn't "forge an alliance" with me, it hires me.
/shrug https://twitter.com/lbsasquatch/status/1301948117332484096
35/
Here's another one Sonya criticizes.
I think this is on-target mockery. What is Chetan praising? THE UNDERSTATED NATURE OF THE EXITS.
UNDERSTATED!!!
Here's another one Sonya criticizes.
I think this is on-target mockery. What is Chetan praising? THE UNDERSTATED NATURE OF THE EXITS.
UNDERSTATED!!!
36/
"I really appreciate the $12 billion dollar exit that Steve had when he sold his logistics integration company to pension funds. The understated nature of the IPO reminded me of Japanese cherry blossoms blown in the first hint of autumn's winds. So deft. So pure."
"I really appreciate the $12 billion dollar exit that Steve had when he sold his logistics integration company to pension funds. The understated nature of the IPO reminded me of Japanese cherry blossoms blown in the first hint of autumn's winds. So deft. So pure."
37/
another one Sonya defends
another one I also dislike
It's 1960s California commune ego-less ness, where instead of bragging you ... brag about your co-founder (which basically is bragging about you and your ability).
another one Sonya defends
another one I also dislike
It's 1960s California commune ego-less ness, where instead of bragging you ... brag about your co-founder (which basically is bragging about you and your ability).
38/
It's the same energy as Scalzi congratulating all of the great new non-binary and trans authors that Tor are publishing, and their great new books, ...which come out at the same time as his latest, part of his $10 million contract with Tor, in stores everywhere!
It's the same energy as Scalzi congratulating all of the great new non-binary and trans authors that Tor are publishing, and their great new books, ...which come out at the same time as his latest, part of his $10 million contract with Tor, in stores everywhere!
39/
Again, it's this dickless, neutered, wears-a-bow-tie-because-an-actual-tie-is-too-phallic-and-aggressive culture, where folks are afraid to brag about themselves, so ... brag about themselves via a transparent cut out.
Again, it's this dickless, neutered, wears-a-bow-tie-because-an-actual-tie-is-too-phallic-and-aggressive culture, where folks are afraid to brag about themselves, so ... brag about themselves via a transparent cut out.
40/
"we're DiSruPtInG biochemistry!!!!1!"
no, you're just doing massive amounts of amphetamines, nerds
https://twitter.com/mr_archenemy/status/1301975207855480838
"we're DiSruPtInG biochemistry!!!!1!"
no, you're just doing massive amounts of amphetamines, nerds
https://twitter.com/mr_archenemy/status/1301975207855480838
41/
...and here's the female version of the exact same thing https://twitter.com/theSamParr/status/1301613151381860357
...and here's the female version of the exact same thing https://twitter.com/theSamParr/status/1301613151381860357
42/
A chick taking her shirt off (RADICAL TRANSPARENCY!) and pretending to open up to you (over video) while banking $100k/month is EXACTLY the model.
Applause.
A chick taking her shirt off (RADICAL TRANSPARENCY!) and pretending to open up to you (over video) while banking $100k/month is EXACTLY the model.
Applause.
