51:12 PG: “launch early!” ... rule of thumb: “launch as soon as you have a quantum of utility” ... as soon as there is *one person* who will find your product useful.
What a fun conversation. I always admire Paul for being willing to display his ignorance about startups and sharing the best of what he actually knows. He seems way more trust worthy than others in the field who are incentivised to oversell their expertise or wins
Paul Graham is so genuine and dropping knowledge bombs. Suggestion for the interviewer - please do not interrupt the guests. This is not about you but them. I have seen you do this time and again. Kind request please.
Best interview this week. I love the freeflow and lessons learned like; Work with people you trust and allow them to help you hire; Work on ideas for fun because you never know if it will succeed or fail and if it does succeed, take it very seriously.
The video is titled "A Conversation with Paul Graham". The description says "Geoff Ralston interviews YC founder Paul Graham...". But the point is to have a conversation. They're both very knowledgable people.
*attempt # 10 to tell story without going off on tangent * goes off on tangent Geoff sure keeps a loose leash as a moderator. Not that that is a bad thing. It seems like the quality of a question for Paul is determined by the number of responses he will give prior to actually answering the question. So great job Geoff!
Geoff , please STOP interrupting guests. We are here to hear THEM, not you. You don't have to witty, clever and funny. You're there to create a good platform for them to voice their knowledge and experience.
I disagree, I enjoyed hearing Geoff’s thoughts as well. They helped draw out Paul’s thoughts and add on them. And I liked the points where there was disagreement, and where Paul disagreed with Geoff. It helped highlight and bring out some profound insights/thoughts from Paul that I don’t think would have come out otherwise.
"get users to pay you for a problem they need fixing and its great if that user is you"..."all you need are 10 users who are super excited about the product"
"that would be worth writing an essay about" It would be cool if he still wrote essays :). I remember hearing when Paul stepped down that he wanted to focus on writing more but it seems the opposite happened.
I really enjoyed this talk. It was great to hear you talk about doing things that don't scale and how much value you were able to extract from those experiences. I am in the process of looking for a technical co founder and your advice on this challenge is appreciated.
To all the comments saying Geoff should've let Paul speak more - the job of a moderator is to keep a meeting on track. Paul has a lot of value to add, but if he didn't interrupt him and bring him back in, they wouldn't have been able to cover as much as they did. Also, this is an informal conversation - and they're friends. Enjoy the content and appreciate what Geoff and Adora are doing for us at YC SUS 🙌🏽
This is really cool, lots of new stuff and great insights. Paul Graham is a living legend! Although questions could perhaps have been better. Best listened to as voice interview / podcast!
When you talk about Steve Jobs's success and being a great founder, don't you think you miss Steve Wozniak in that equation? And that is just the start of it all...
Everyone is talking about doing a startup with multiple founders but they fail to understand how unreliable people are before you have a money generating business / terrible terrible VC money
A healthy disregard for formalities is required and also the right team which often requires funding (investors) first to even attract that talent but most investors would want a team before investing so yeah. 🤷♂️
Poor interviewer. Try less interrupting, less self-absorption, greater insight. It's apparent that you're not actually listening. 28:58 encapsulates the dissonance; Paul looks very uncomfortable. This is egregious. Worthy of a sacking.
Hi i am 21 year old , I have an idea for a software but its very complex, project will be outsourced & I don't have any experience in that area, is it good to start with less complex project like website & then gain exparince & then start with complex one please help 🙏
Talk was okay. Geoff needs to stop talking over the top of Paul and vice-versa. Hard to make sense of a conversation when both people are trying to talk at once.
21:34 "Startups are counterintuitive." It's not rocket science. The equation: Hire a young white male, testosterone filled, partial sociopath/naieve, who is dull enough to learn Programming--when his peers are bird dogging chicks; that person has a good chance at making it big financially. Family money really helps in ways these guys never go into. Just to be a f---k up at Harvard costs money. (I do like Hacker News Paul. I would love to see a walk through on the code. I do like Lisp.)
There is no logic here. Why has watching this video led you to make this odd comment. I do not know why you feel jealous of these startup founders. Your comments reveal a chip on your shoulder. Otherwise, why would you characterise "founders" in a negative stereotype and posit that they achieved their success due to privilege? To be clear, you are not in their shoes not because you are a minority, female, or poor. No it's due to your lack of hard work not the cost of tuition. First, you must get the grades and the extra-curricular experience to earn your position there before you can pull the Privilege card.
I already watched every PG talk and this one is his poorest performance. Maybe he's tired (IMO) or the interviewer was totally off and without a clear direction of interview flow... or maybe I'm wrong at all. Anyway, nothing to highlight from an hour talk.
51:12 PG: “launch early!” ... rule of thumb: “launch as soon as you have a quantum of utility” ... as soon as there is *one person* who will find your product useful.
Priceless... Don't just fantasize with the idea thinking u have the next Google or FB with no users 4 ur Software.
What a fun conversation. I always admire Paul for being willing to display his ignorance about startups and sharing the best of what he actually knows. He seems way more trust worthy than others in the field who are incentivised to oversell their expertise or wins
Paul Graham is so genuine and dropping knowledge bombs. Suggestion for the interviewer - please do not interrupt the guests. This is not about you but them. I have seen you do this time and again. Kind request please.
uffff Geoff Ralston trying to be funny when you have pg in front, there is no comparison! stfu geofF!
@@omkizzy I am aware but in this context he is the interviewer. Full respect for him but I would maintain by suggestion.
Geoff Ralston has moments of coherence.
"We have the same watch!"
What a great chat, I love the genuineness and all the stories Paul Graham shared. Thanks for this! :)
what watches to they have? :)
same.
Good stuff! Favorite parts - 20:00; 29:05; 31:13; 35:05; 51:50; 55:15
PG is brilliant and insightful as always. I loved the video, but moderator really should've let him speak more.
Ray Alez oh how we flail in the presence of such bright suns!!
Couldn't agree more! Never understand why the moderator needs to interrupt and summarize the speaker constantly. So annoying!
@@zubairshams Moderator is the president of YC so it was a convo with both of them.
Best interview this week. I love the freeflow and lessons learned like; Work with people you trust and allow them to help you hire; Work on ideas for fun because you never know if it will succeed or fail and if it does succeed, take it very seriously.
"Starting a startup is like catching a dragon by the tail"
The video is titled "A Conversation with Paul Graham". The description says "Geoff Ralston interviews YC founder Paul Graham...". But the point is to have a conversation. They're both very knowledgable people.
I love how awkward / funny yet insightful this is
*attempt # 10 to tell story without going off on tangent
* goes off on tangent
Geoff sure keeps a loose leash as a moderator. Not that that is a bad thing. It seems like the quality of a question for Paul is determined by the number of responses he will give prior to actually answering the question. So great job Geoff!
13:25 "... so if you are looking for a co-founder - look at people who have been prosecuted, cuz it works" - gotcha :)
Please post unedited version! We ❤️ PG stories.
I wish more people in tech were in fact nice like Paul, Jessica and Geoff and YC in general.
Agree
Paul Graham is definitely a Legendary Entrepreneur
Man, myth, AND legend. He's looking great!
Woah first time listening to Paul. I’ve read all his essays and he sounds exactly how I imagined he would when reading his essays.
Omg!! Can't believe there's a new pg vid!
Geoff , please STOP interrupting guests. We are here to hear THEM, not you. You don't have to witty, clever and funny. You're there to create a good platform for them to voice their knowledge and experience.
Yeah. This guy is trying too hard to be cool. Sad.
I disagree, I enjoyed hearing Geoff’s thoughts as well. They helped draw out Paul’s thoughts and add on them. And I liked the points where there was disagreement, and where Paul disagreed with Geoff. It helped highlight and bring out some profound insights/thoughts from Paul that I don’t think would have come out otherwise.
@@jeffbrownstain lol you must be his wife or something, if a simple comment triggers you so badly.
@@mccall7122he just respectfully stated his opinion… What do you define as “triggered”?
@tterminal you're just a brown noser.
+1 that an inate disdain for "gratuitous schleps" births elegant solutions! 9:50 until 10:25
Great conversation, Wish we learn lot more form him
This is so phenomenally inspiring!
"get users to pay you for a problem they need fixing and its great if that user is you"..."all you need are 10 users who are super excited about the product"
This has been one of the weirdest interviews I’ve seen at YC 😂 but also the most enjoyable. Love you PG
"that would be worth writing an essay about" It would be cool if he still wrote essays :). I remember hearing when Paul stepped down that he wanted to focus on writing more but it seems the opposite happened.
wait, he stepped down?
Thank u PG and Geoff. This is so helpful. 🙏
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA dying at Paul's reaction when Geoff says "I don't think we'd fund a Steve Jobs at YC" lmaooooooooo
That was hilarious
WELL THATS NOT GOOD!!!
They would because it's too hard to ignore a Steve Jobs.
I am in Startup School and will be creating videos every week summarizing my experience if anyone would like to follow along!
I would brother
Paul just awesome!!! :)
The worst interviewer is one who constantly interrupts the interviewee.
no, the worst interviewer is the one who asks questions not to gain information, but to make the interviewee say a certain answer
in 1998 I was 4 years old. PG, can we get some more essays!!
I was 9, had a netscape email
Questions start at 44:44
I really enjoyed this talk. It was great to hear you talk about doing things that don't scale and how much value you were able to extract from those experiences. I am in the process of looking for a technical co founder and your advice on this challenge is appreciated.
I really liked the intelligence/determination riff at TC 36.00
To all the comments saying Geoff should've let Paul speak more - the job of a moderator is to keep a meeting on track. Paul has a lot of value to add, but if he didn't interrupt him and bring him back in, they wouldn't have been able to cover as much as they did. Also, this is an informal conversation - and they're friends. Enjoy the content and appreciate what Geoff and Adora are doing for us at YC SUS 🙌🏽
So Much fun there : D
Very Very useful conversation !
This is really cool, lots of new stuff and great insights. Paul Graham is a living legend! Although questions could perhaps have been better. Best listened to as voice interview / podcast!
16:29 [notices shiny object] "we have the same watch" [resumes story]
When you talk about Steve Jobs's success and being a great founder, don't you think you miss Steve Wozniak in that equation? And that is just the start of it all...
Initially, yes. But Steve Jobs went to make many other projects, including Apple 2.0.
I got a lot more in the last 1/3 of this long video during the Q&A session, after fast forwarding it so many times...
I wish I knew people like this!
Be the people
starting a startup is like catching a dragon by it's tail! Great chemistry here, thanks for the stories!
I think he meant succeeding at it not just starting it.
@@andrew.r.lukasik And maintaining it too.
Geoff you blew this interview. Paul Graham should have just been given the mic and all 50 minutes after you introduced him.
40:40 timestamp for a great insight
what a brilliant conversation between 2 lovely dinosaurs, loved it!
PG is therapy for startup founders
He's so real and pragmatic. I like it 4 the truth shall set us free.❤️❤️
Paul is the GOAT
Was Paul talking about Mighty @7:00 ?
51:12 when to launch
What watch is that??? Anyone ?
"Gratuitous Schleps" -- 😂😂😂😂
I love these PG jokes between the lines sooooo much)
He cut-off Paul at 9:25 with a windows joke. Any chance we could fill-in the blank?
Paul is so funny and very smart.
Everyone is talking about doing a startup with multiple founders but they fail to understand how unreliable people are before you have a money generating business / terrible terrible VC money
A healthy disregard for formalities is required and also the right team which often requires funding (investors) first to even attract that talent but most investors would want a team before investing so yeah. 🤷♂️
So good
Amazing
20:11 The index finger movements is a very strange hand gesture that I've never seen be used in that way.
What’s the accent at 9:10？
29:28 get rich or die trying, we got some 50 cent fans in the lobby
So funny when he say "he could be president!!"
9:19 - Paul was on to an interesting point... who here can drive it home?
He was going to say the curious hacker has a greater chance of creating something genuinely useful than the guy thinking about business
Poor interviewer. Try less interrupting, less self-absorption, greater insight. It's apparent that you're not actually listening. 28:58 encapsulates the dissonance; Paul looks very uncomfortable. This is egregious. Worthy of a sacking.
I felt like they kept interrupting each other all the time and the points didn't manage to get through properly.
Feel sorry for you and the people that interact with you if interruption is part of normal "conversation" for you.
Came here for Paul, not Geoff.
Geoff can have his own video.
Go away.
hey any of you guys could just hop me in one of any groups which startup school created
We need an IA App that deletes "Ham ... Ham ... Aam" from Paul Graham interviews
I was about to comment the same 😅
why can't i see any video? i just see a white screen....
Wrong video?
14.22
here you go, 14:22
Hi i am 21 year old , I have an idea for a software but its very complex, project will be outsourced & I don't have any experience in that area, is it good to start with less complex project like website & then gain exparince & then start with complex one please help 🙏
BHARATH BHUSHAN yes. Simple first! Even that will turn out to be too complex.
@@luistervinc thank you very much
54:56 different solutions
What you will get wrong is you will not pay enough attention to users. You will make some idea in your head
41:00
You will make this mistake, mind you , because "they might say no".
I'm an early stage founder and that hit hard.
Am I the only one that laughed at the joke at 31:31 because the crowd definitely didn't =\
Can you explain it?
🎙️ Congratulations, Donna Gift Ricafrente! Pasok ka na sa ating Quarter Finals! #ShowtimeMadlangUniverse
I love when people bring up Steve Jobs and someone DISMISSES Steve fucking Jobs.
32:40 PG looks like he’s about to tackle someone
Talk was okay. Geoff needs to stop talking over the top of Paul and vice-versa. Hard to make sense of a conversation when both people are trying to talk at once.
HUUUMMMM
So many Indian accents asking questions in q and a makes me happy
Which companies produce bad founders?
46:04
49:42
16:00 felon hacker for hire
Does the interviewer knows the idea of eye contact?
31:50
ooo Magic Leap got burnt..
Angels are out there 😂
Why does PG do Hummm at the end every sentence 😢
21:34 "Startups are counterintuitive." It's not rocket science. The equation: Hire a young white male, testosterone filled, partial sociopath/naieve, who is dull enough to learn Programming--when his peers are bird dogging chicks; that person has a good chance at making it big financially. Family money really helps in ways these guys never go into. Just to be a f---k up at Harvard costs money. (I do like Hacker News Paul. I would love to see a walk through on the code. I do like Lisp.)
There is no logic here.
Why has watching this video led you to make this odd comment.
I do not know why you feel jealous of these startup founders. Your comments reveal a chip on your shoulder. Otherwise, why would you characterise "founders" in a negative stereotype and posit that they achieved their success due to privilege?
To be clear, you are not in their shoes not because you are a minority, female, or poor. No it's due to your lack of hard work not the cost of tuition. First, you must get the grades and the extra-curricular experience to earn your position there before you can pull the Privilege card.
these interruptions are so annoying
Paul say ummm alot hhhh but he is genius
ahumm...
Saolm
HUMMMMMMM
pg tweets too much and his essays are too long(could be 1/3 the length). I'm sure he's way smarter than me though
I already watched every PG talk and this one is his poorest performance. Maybe he's tired (IMO) or the interviewer was totally off and without a clear direction of interview flow... or maybe I'm wrong at all. Anyway, nothing to highlight from an hour talk.
Interviewer couldn’t let his ego take a back seat on this one. Difficult to watch with the constant interjections. Let the speaker speak.
Geoff Ralston needs to shut up.
🙃😈🙏🏽