[kingkawn]

This is a cultural flaw that predates image generation. Even PG has made statements on HN in the past equating “rendering skill” with the quality of art works. It’s a stand-in for the much more difficult task of understanding the work and value of culture making within the context of the society producing it.

[doctorpangloss]

Suppose the deck for Midjourney hit Paul Graham's desk, and the CEO was just an average Y Combinator CEO - so no previous success story. He would have never invested in Midjourney at seed stage (meaning before launch / before there were users) even if he were given the opportunity.

Better to read that particular story in the context of, "It would be very difficult to make a seed fund that is an index of all avant garde culture making because [whatever]."