Paul Graham and others have stated that Jessica was perhaps the main driving force behind YC. In 10 years, YC has produced multiple multi-billion dollar corporations, and it's only just getting started. Once we start seeing power companies, aircraft companies and more, then... Yes, I think YC will be judged in the future to have had the single biggest impact on the economy, at least of any company, in the first half of the 21st century.
YC's indirect influence, by shaping culture, seems to be even greater than its direct effect. I haven't been through YC, but they've had a positive influence on my life, just observing from afar.
Their contribution to the culture of startups, awareness of the importance of "nice people", creating the alumni network, fostering a supportive and intensely creative atmosphere within YC during the launch phase, diffusing good ideas and practices. Jessica, as part of the YC leadership (especially with PG's support and encouragement), has been central to that, both figuring it out and getting it all to actually work day-to-day.
Beyond the core YC team, this cultural progress has been possible because of a broad receptivity in the generation of potential founders that have flocked to YC. If Paul & Jessica had been alone in their attitude, they never would have developed momentum. It's been part of a generational shift in attitudes towards business, and I love that.
So thank you both Paul & Jessica for being so open about YC, and for having an attitude of service, and to everyone who has worked together with them! Here's to future generations of idealist entrepreneurs.
I can't think of any YC company that laypeople will remember in 100 years. Reddit maybe? Maybe there will be something in the future, but there's certainly nothing like that right now.
It's bad enough that you prosecuted a nitpicking argument to the point of hounding, but adding personal insults takes this way over the line. Please don't do this again.
Okay, it would have been prudent to not bother with the "was perhaps" rebuttal. But the initial comment was par for the HN course and then a regular back-and-forth took place. Again, par for the HN course. And then there was an ad hominem directed at me. To which I foolishly responded. Yet I'm the one that gets chastised? You sure this doesn't have anything to do with the side I was taking in the argument?
