YC
Sam Altman's Whale AMA
@ Y Combinator
02/11/17
Takeaways
SA
Sam Altman
02/11/17
@ Y Combinator
The best thing I learned from Paul Graham is how to start a startup, which I now see as a superpower in today's world. Before meeting him, I thought it was impossible, but now I believe it's hard yet achievable, and I hope to teach others how to do it.
SA
Sam Altman
02/11/17
@ Y Combinator
Johnny Chen is definitely my favorite founder with a man bun, and probably everyone else's favorite too.
SA
Sam Altman
02/11/17
@ Y Combinator
In 2017, I would like to see startups tackle the problem of equality, as we are moving towards a more unequal world. We need to change education and other social systems to address this issue, and I'm also interested in solutions like basic income.
SA
Sam Altman
02/11/17
@ Y Combinator
Treat school as your day job, and use your free time to work on projects that excite you. There's no reason a high school student can't start a startup.
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Sam Altman
02/11/17
@ Y Combinator
My favorite play is probably Macbeth, especially the 'life's but a walking shadow' speech, but I also enjoy reading more than watching plays.
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Sam Altman
02/11/17
@ Y Combinator
This week, I've felt anxiety, sadness, and happiness. I'm particularly nervous about the Trump presidency and its implications, which has affected my sleep and mood. However, I find joy in seeing people come together to discuss building a better future.
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Sam Altman
02/11/17
@ Y Combinator
The 10-year goal for Y Combinator is to find and support the best young entrepreneurs in the world, and if we execute well, we might even get acquired by Whale.
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Sam Altman
02/11/17
@ Y Combinator
I prefer using pen and paper for my to-do list because it works better for my brain and workflow compared to digital formats.
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Sam Altman
02/11/17
@ Y Combinator
I believe the most impactful companies often have a new idea or present an old idea in a new way. I've tried various nootropics, but they didn't work for me, except for modafinil, which has side effects I didn't like.
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Sam Altman
02/11/17
@ Y Combinator
As a vegetarian, I've found that taking omega-3 and B12 supplements has significantly boosted my performance at work.
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Sam Altman
02/11/17
@ Y Combinator
Y Combinator is providing resources and funding to support the ACLU, and while we can't give them too much advice, we are open to helping them with specific needs, just like we do for other nonprofits and for-profits.
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Sam Altman
02/11/17
@ Y Combinator
The book 'Neural Networks and Deep Learning' by Michael Nielsen is a great free introduction to the subject.
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Sam Altman
02/11/17
@ Y Combinator
Y Combinator's Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) will start in early April and run through early June, aiming to replicate the YC experience for participants.
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Sam Altman
02/11/17
@ Y Combinator
I struggle with understanding the impact of automation on the economy and jobs; it's a complex and critical issue without a clear answer yet.
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Sam Altman
02/11/17
@ Y Combinator
In enterprise sales, building personal relationships and being persistent are crucial for success and shortening the sales cycle.
SA
Sam Altman
02/11/17
@ Y Combinator
YC is not designed for small businesses; a different financial model is needed, but I encourage someone to pursue this idea as it could significantly impact the economy.
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Sam Altman
02/11/17
@ Y Combinator
Stripe Atlas simplifies the process of setting up a U.S. company and bank account for international businesses, and we recommend it to companies looking to establish a U.S. entity.
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Sam Altman
02/11/17
@ Y Combinator
The most rejections a startup has faced before being accepted into YC is six, and many successful startups, like Dropbox, have been rejected at least once.
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Sam Altman
02/11/17
@ Y Combinator
My favorite Paul Graham essay is 'How to Start a Startup' because it has profoundly influenced my life and many others, providing valuable career guidance.
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Sam Altman
02/11/17
@ Y Combinator
To become a great engineer, you need to build a lot of projects and collaborate with smart people, and it typically takes at least 10,000 hours of practice.
SA
Sam Altman
02/11/17
@ Y Combinator
It's important to engage with people in power who hold different views, as convincing them is essential for addressing concerns about the current political path.