[earksiinni]

I signed up for the platform as an engineer looking for non-engineers. Unlike some of the engineer types here, I'm of the opinion that engineering is as important (not more important) than non-technical skill sets. In some startups, it's probably less important.

The problem is that the profiles I match with read like resumes. I don't care too much that you were early employee at XYZ Corp or that you had a successful $100m exit. I care about your heart.

I've cofounded too many times with cofounders whose worldview, politics, and level of emotional empathy and openness were incompatible with mine. It sucked every time and was the #1 cause for failure.

Sometimes I feel like a vox clamantis in deserto when it comes to advocating for founders with higher emotional awareness. I'm happy whenever I read posts on HN about why neurodiversity matters in tech, but they almost always focus on folks on the spectrum. Then there are folks like me, oftentimes survivors of abuse who are neuro-atypical in a different way. We are empaths--and very much not fitting in the mold of a "typical" engineer or how non-engineers perceive typical engineers.

I don't need a fellow empath as a co-founder, but at least I need someone who understands where I'm coming from and is compatible. Brag sheets tend to drive me away, but that's the ethos we've built into our industry, so I don't blame the individuals.

[what_is_orcas]

Fellow engineer here who cares about the same things you report here.

Did you just give up (using that platform)? Did you find a better platform?

[earksiinni]

I didn't give up per se, but I'm not actively checking it, either. Sometimes I get emails about matches, which I read. Haven't found any that clicked so far.

Right now, though, I'm going through a phase where I'm doubting whether I want to do a startup at all. Still fully onboard for entrepreneurship, but I'm questioning whether the startup path (especially the VC path) is right for my goals.

I am, however, interested in making organic connections with like-minded individuals. Perhaps like right here, in the comments of HN ;-)

[what_is_orcas]

> I am, however, interested in making organic connections with like-minded individuals. Perhaps like right here, in the comments of HN ;-)

I'd be legitimately interested in discussing your ideas; I'm not sure that this is the best place for that. It looks like I recently made a reddit account if you want to chat: u/KaleidoscopeOdd3338

[theaussiestew]

I’ve had the experience that you mention here too, basically a really competent co-founder but someone with a vastly different worldview. You can’t really change someone’s worldview, so it was tough to find out later.

I’m curious, what area of need would you service if you did find a co-founder that was more self-aware?