Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login
“Otherwise do something else” (cdixon.org)
68 points by Swizec on Dec 2, 2011 | hide | past | favorite | 18 comments



I mildly protest this advice because it is possible that one really, deeply enjoys the process of starting a business but they would not know unless they try, so it could very well be worth giving it a shot if you're in a position to do so.

Then we can consider the advice of another philosopher, John McCarthy (coined the term A.I. and "discovered" lisp), "If it doesn't work right, we can always try something else."


People should know what they're getting in to, is the reason someone like Chris Dixon takes the time to write a post like this. He's not demanding that people not dip their toes; he's just saying, "I've been in the water, and it's fucking frigid".

He's right, from what I can tell. I've done my whole career in startups, and ~6 years into this one it's still costing me significant sleep and cortisol.


The question that bugs me most about this advice is the same as I've posted in the comments over there

What about those of us who hate [almost] everything that comes with running a company, but can't imagine being happy in any other context?

I've almost decided that having a company is simply a necessary evil for what I want out of my life.


You just said the exact same thing Chris Dixon said: if you can't think of any way to live your life but to run your own company, start a company.


Problem is that running a company isn't something that brings me happiness.


I can relate. I dislike running a company myself, but when I work for someone else, I get upset that I'm not involved with those operations.

Perhaps in my case a partner would help. Someone who is in charge of that end of the business, but I can still jump in and help.


why having a company gives you what you want vs running a company? Do you just need the money to be happy?


Not everything in life is meant to be loved. I hate flossing, but its a necessary evil if I want to have teeth when I'm 60.

Some things just need to be done.


There is no empirical evidence that flossing does anything.


Care to elaborate? Why is running a company the only avenue for you to get what you want out of your life?


Short story: delusions of grandeur

Slightly longer story: ever since I was very little what I've always wanted to do most was to change the world. In whatever nontrivial way possible.

At first I thought this meant I should become a scientist, but as my understanding of the world matured I realized the scientists I look up to most are actually entrepreneurs and that without being entrepreneurs their contribution to the world mostly simply wouldn't have as big an impact.


Chris nailed it. My own sleep cycle is spinning wildly out of control. I have an Atlas complex when it comes to my startup.

Years ago I read similar advice for musicians in bands that want to "take it to the next level". The short version was "Don't!" and the longer version was "The only people that should be in a touring rock band are the people who can't not be in a touring rock band."

I spent several years trying to act like I needed to be in a touring rock band. Luckily I was and still am young enough to be wrong and not have any serious regrets.


On a bit of a tangent, I know quite a few practicing musicians who have tech skills and are in startups. They all seem to do quite well, perhaps because both career options require a lot of faith & passion, as well as financial discipline.


To take your tangent further, this describes me! I originally was a musician and studied for a degree in Music Composition. At the same time I had also been programming for the web since I was like 11 or 12 and suddenly one day I realized that my career choice should have been my hobby and my hobby should be my career. Now I've been progra,Ming full time, in the web dev biz for almost a year, and got a small startup I'm hacking away on on the side. I also switched colleges and am a Comp Sci major.


I have a feeling the creative muscle you've exercised as a musician has also helped tremendously as a hacker & business owner. Those same musician/programmers that I know also tend to come up with some pretty far-out ideas & solutions. The discipline of constant practice, the ability to tap into your "intuitive" & creative side, and the understanding of another language (musical notes) probably translates very well.

This can apply to other creative fields too, of course.


This is the exact same advice I give to people who want to become physicians, particularly surgeons, having watched several people go through it. It's only a rational choice if you know you'd never be happy doing anything else.


For me the cartoon, 'the knot in the founders stomach', in the comments was priceless. I'm thinking of framing it.

When someone says what it like to be an entrepreneur I would just point to it.


Probably good advice. I couldn't imagine being happy in a life where I didn't get decent sleep, or where it would be possible to say "I haven’t slept well for years."




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: