[sevazhidkov]

The problem with these monetary estimates is that they involve current valuations, which are probabilistically based on future outcomes, not enterprise value.

PG once formalized YC value prop as average outcome multiplier [1]. Whatever the current valuation, would YC improve your expected outcome over lifetime of the company on 7.5%? If yes, then you should do it.

[1] http://www.paulgraham.com/equity.html?viewfullsite=1

[swyx]

interesting framing. (and awfully convenient for yc/pg, haha, but fine)

this feels like a second order analogue to the "ideas vs execution" debate - we know that idea is worth ~0, execution worth ~100 - but the harder question is - what is YC-fueled 3 months (where lets say you spend max 24 hours with YC partners/peers/events) + say 1-2 years worth of residual relevant connections worth vs a ~10 year hard grind on your own?

not gonna get the answer here but was fun to contemplate :)

[wawjgreen]

to swyx: wow, i like the way you approach problems--and how you see things. Do you recommend any good books on critical thinking?

[swyx]

very kind. the silicon valleyite answer is annie duke's thinking in bets. get the book or crank up any of the 3000 podcast interviews she's done.

the realer answer is have about ~16 years of being in love with/thinking about microeconomics. maybe do some math/linear algebra (where you get very used to projecting spaces onto different dimensions), and then make a few high stakes decisions with regards to job negotiations optimizing for cash, salary, learning value, career path, etc.

but dont think for a second i have any of this figured out haha. i just write well.

[wawjgreen]

thank you--i love a good thinking process--i have heard of duke's book and i will definitely read it.

i always suspicious linear algebra was very useful in representing probabilistic outcomes and your answer confirms my hunch. ;)

good day