[projectileboy]

I absolutely agree that age discrimination exists in our industry, and it’s even worse in SV. But I really think you’re barking up the wrong tree here. Anytime you have an institution with single digit acceptance rates, you invariably are going to have truly excellent candidates who don’t make it in.

[CabSauce]

Agreed. It feels like they're trying to claim that they were rejected for age... without providing any evidence. They don't want to come out and say it. But by suggesting enough, it's sure implied.

[threatofrain]

IMO they had enough evidence to provide an implication, and so that's what we have. The implication. The ammunition comes from the fact that YC asks for your age very early in the process. Either that piece of information is relevant and worth asking... or it's not. That YC asks implies they want the info.

But personally I don't think that's enough ammo to start a large forum discussion.

[giantg2]

I think it's a fair question to ask.

The author also brings up the difficulty in finding a job in the industry as he gets older. There are a number of people on here that have witnessed similar age-related or suspected age-related issues in this industry, to the point that this issue seems to be a common discussion point [1]. It would be different if they were writing a major editorial hit piece without hard facts. Perhaps this question will lead to YC releasing diversity stats and the reasoning behind the age question.

1. https://moguldom.com/9158/coding-while-old-race-and-sex-aren...

[sillysaurusx]

What evidence would convince you?

(It helps to imagine you're asking for evidence of gender discrimination.)

[whitepaint]

If you accuse people of discrimination (which is a serious accusation) you better have very good evidence. Nothing less is acceptable.

[void_mint]

You didn't really answer the above question (What evidence would convince you)

[whitepaint]

Oh, you're right, I missed it. Hm, let's think together, it's a tough one, isn't it? Statistics? Let's say YC never invested in founders over 35. Would that be enough though? Maybe there are other reasons why people over 35 are not the greatest people to invest in and that's why they haven't done it? It's all hypothetical, but we can ask: in general, what proves discrimination?

I for sure don't think the main post is evidence of anything, so I struggle to see how it's getting so popular.

[_6pvr]

> it's a tough one

For sure.

> Statistics

Bingo!

YC certainly keeps stats on their acceptance info. They don't accept 99% of those that apply. What % of those that get accepted are over 35, compared to those that apply? What % aren't white men? Multiple founders?

> I for sure don't think the main post is evidence of anything, so I struggle to see how it's getting so popular.

Because OP has a reason to believe they were discriminated against. They ask the question to A.) See if others come forward, B.) Hope/expect YC to produce the statistics we just talked about, either proving or disproving a pattern of discriminatory behavior. And if YC knows they don't discriminate based on age, there should be absolutely no issue with them producing their data supporting that claim, right?