[cemerick]

I didn't say DHH should or should not do anything. I was (perhaps too obliquely) thinking aloud about how the image of Mr. Fried (esp. re: VC vs. bootstrapping) meshes with his work with Groupon and their strategies, totally unrelated to whatever opinions or remarks either he or DHH make about Groupon.

[jasonfried]

My opinions remain the same. I'm for bootstrapping, slow and steady growth, keeping your company as small as possible. Every day that goes by reinforces my belief in those basic ideas.

None of that means I can't help someone who runs a company with a different model. I don't see how the two are related. I run my company one way, other people run their companies their way. If someone I respect asks for my help, and I want to help them, and I'm able to help them, I'll help them.

I get hundreds of emails a year from people who ask for my help. I help as many as I reasonably can. Sometimes it's an email. Sometimes it's a phone call. Sometimes it's office hours. Sometimes it's giving a talk or giving my feedback on their products, companies, or designs.

The Groupon experience was a very unique experience. I've never been presented with an experience like that before, so I got involved. It was a fantastic learning experience for me. I continue to help when asked. I wish everyone there nothing but the best.

My approach, in general, is to learn about what I don't understand before rejecting what I don't understand. I don't always live up to that ideal, but I try.

[cemerick]

All that seems great. I'll pick one nit before walking away from this steaming heap I've apparently provoked:

> I don't see how the two are related.

The simplest of affiliations can be taken by many as endorsement. That's only a problem (or, a "problem") if one's public persona is an asset and there's a perception of conflict or contradiction.

Anyway, I unfortunately speculated in abstract terms publicly, instead of saving it for the coffee shop. I apologize for any resulting grief.