[minimaxir]

Apply HN, which was also an experiment from YC, just finished. The results were highly contested due to ambiguous rules and vote brigading.

This experiment is doing the same thing, with a preselection process and communication medium with zero transparency. And the end result is a chance at an interview instead of guaranteed admission!

This seems like an experiment that is quirky for the sake of being quirky. That is never good. (I had to research "Snapfam" since I've never heard of the term: the only influential account that uses the term is Justin).

[dyarosla]

I wholeheartedly agree. It almost sounds like a pitch for a reality TV show. Honestly, I think it reflects poorly on YC's brand image to run experiments that seem to add nothing to the typical startup vetting process; this one more so than the last.

[pj_mukh]

I don't understand. The very nature of experimentation is to figure out whether it adds anything to the process. It's impossible to sit and gestate about all the possible ramifications.

I'm not a snapchatter (snapper?), but hey, crazier things have worked swimmingly. Go Justin!

[mdorazio]

I agree as well. I'm trying to figure out what this format adds to the startup vetting process. It's almost like a weird social media version of Shark Tank with a behind-closed-doors pre-selection process. I feel like what YCF really needs a competition for is the best idea for finding and vetting YCF participants.

[wj]

I know that some people's (mine this year) application videos didn't register any viewings so I guess it is a way to guarantee your video is viewed.

That said, as a human, it is okay to have some fun with your job. I imagine these experiments might be both a way to do something differently as well as possibly be a learning experience.

Also, I imagine some of them might be pitched by complete strangers as they buy their coffee or do their grocery shopping. So this might be a more controlled version of that.

[pedalpete]

How is that different to the regular HN application process?

You put in your application, it gets filtered by somebody who was a previous alum (or maybe you had contacts that put in a good word) and maybe you get an invite.

I'm not in any way railing against the process, that's just the way it is. If you don't like it, don't play.

[swanson]

Don't "try to cheat" either -- or you'll be publicly shamed by an internet famous person!

[6stringmerc]

One of the ApplyHN entries, AJsAmericanGarage, actually made a coherent 8 minute video presentation, and at the time, I don't think any other entry had anything remotely similar. This seems like a less rigorous offshoot of the concept that AJsAmericanGarage attempted to use. In the ApplyHN context it seemed an innovative approach to both showing creativity and personality (doing something nobody else was doing), whereas this sounds like a platform for...I dunno...much more of a popularity contest thing.

[fitzwatermellow]

On the other hand, it could be really fun! Stories are limitless vehicles for creativity and self expression. Some were complaining before about the character limit. Video is much more intimate.

My only issue is that I don't think I'll have the time to view 100+ snaps ;(