This is disappointing.
YC needs a fresh perspective. Recycling older members is not a positive sign for continued innovation. I wouldn’t point to “HODL diamond hands” crypto hype (suddenly disappeared..) and personal brand-building content creation as the type of leadership YC needs at this stage.
Specifically in this, someone who has been running a large VC fund for the past half-decade with considerable inside deal access through YC. The conflicts of interest are sizable, and we can’t really pretend that they won’t compound now that Garry’s at the head of YC.
Lastly, to balance flood of positive reviews, there have been consistent (if quiet, again, small world) reports of pettiness and using power/influence against personal grudges. I have not worked with Garry directly, founder friends have and back channels are..not same as the public comments here. Everyone has weaknesses. This isn’t a good one for the position.
This is my biggest worry. I'd have preferred a non-crypto-junkie.
This is Gary saying that ETH will go up to $10k soon: https://twitter.com/garrytan/status/1402648829732614146
It went to $1k instead.
At times, following Gary on Twitter felt like following a dumb crypto bro.
Everyone looks like a genius during a bull market and 0% interest rate environment.
You don't have to keep shilling crypto just because you invested in Coinbase early. You can take the win and not be a crypto bro.
You can shill crypto if our lives are improved by it and that if crypto disappeared one day, our lives would be worse. But not now. It kills your reputation hurts people. Right now, I see you as a Matt Damon who knows how to code.
PS. I'm forever grateful for you pushing Boudin out in SF.