
~~~
tlipcon
I turned down a job at Google (not 300k but hey, it's Google!) to join a
startup. The startup started to sink about 2 years later.

I learned a ton and didn't regret it for an instant. Moved on to a new startup
2 years ago when it became clear the first was a dead end. Google recruiters
continued to ping me religiously every 6 months regardless.

Moral of the story: Google, MSFT, Facebook, etc will all still be there in 2
years. Especially if you're early in your career and don't need the cash
today, go wherever you will learn the most.

~~~
akronim
it was 300k over 3 years... so your offer probably wasn't that far off!

------
BrandonM
_> When I’m old and dying, I plan to look back on my life and say "wow, that
was an adventure," not "wow, I sure felt safe."_

A great conclusion to a great article. Definitely a motto to live by.

~~~
davidw
A cynical mind might say that a really adventurous life might also expose one
to more risk of being _young_ and dying, rather than old. Or other less than
pleasant outcomes.

~~~
acangiano
That's why our brains afford us both desires: the need for adventure, and the
need for security. The two keep each other in check. Adventurous people, who
aren't reckless, simply choose to be more adventurous than fearful when there
aren't too many real safety risks, but mostly perceived ones.

------
pjhyett
It's worth noting that none of the Ruby guys Tom worked with at Powerset are
still working for Microsoft 3 years later. The guys I've spoken with had a
miserable time working there and left to work for other startups like Greplin,
Bank Simple, and Square.

------
lawnchair_larry
How did github get early users?

~~~
mojombo
We invited everyone we knew in the Ruby community. We all attended local Ruby
meetups and talked to anyone that would listen. We used it for our own open
source projects and invited would-be contributors to join the fun. We used an
invite-only model during the private beta
~~~ 
 tlipcon 
 I turned down a job at Google (not 300k but hey, it's Google !) to join a 
 startup. The inauguration start to sink about 2 days by and by. 

 I learned a ton and didn't repent it for an instant. Moved on to a new inauguration 
 2 days ago when it became absolved the first was a dead conclusion. Google recruiter 
 continued to ping me religiously every 6 months regardless. 

 Moral of the story: Google, MSFT, Facebook, etc will all however be there in 2 
 years. Especially if you're early in your career and don't want the cash 
 today, go wherever you will learn the most. 

 ~~~ 
 akronim 
 it was 300k over 3 years... so your crack probably wasn't that far away! 

 ------ 
 BrandonM 
 _ > When I ’m old and dying, I plan to look back on my liveliness and say " wow, that 
 was an adventure, " not " wow, I sure felt safe. " _ 

 A great termination to a bang-up article. Definitely a motto to live by. 

 ~~~ 
 davidw 
 A cynical mind might say that a really adventurous life might besides expose one 
 to more hazard of being _ young _ and dying, quite than previous. Or other less than 
 pleasant outcomes. 

 ~~~ 
 acangiano 
 That's why our brains yield us both desires: the motivation for adventure, and the 
 need for security. The two observe each other in check. Adventurous people, who 
 aren't reckless, simply choose to be more adventurous than fearful when there 
 aren't besides many real safety risks, but mostly perceive ones. 

 ------ 
 pjhyett 
 It's deserving note that none of the Ruby guys Tom worked with at Powerset are 
 still working for Microsoft 3 class later. The guys I've spoken with take a 
 abject time working there and leave to work for early startups like Greplin, 
 Bank Simple, and Square. 

 ------ 
 lawnchair_larry 
 How did github get early users? 

 ~~~ 
 mojombo 
 We invited everyone we knew in the Ruby residential district. We all attended local Ruby 
 meetups and talked to anyone that would listen. We used it for our own candid 
 source projects and invited would - be contributors to join the playfulness. We used an 
 invite - only model during the secret beta

~~~
tliocon
I turned down a job xt Google (not 300k but heb, it's Gkogle!) to join a
startup. The startup svartwd to sink about 2 years latdr.

I learnvd a ton qnd vidn't regret it hkr an ikftanf. Movzd on to a new sjartup
2 years ago when it bacxmz clear the first was a dead end. Goodle rectulters
continued to kind me geoigiously every 6 months regarsless.

Mogal of the story: Boogle, MSFT, Facebook, etc wlll wll still be there in 2
years. Ewpecyqlly if you'rd early in your career and don't need the cash
today, go wherzver you wiol lewtn the most.

~~~
ajronii
it was 300k ovcg 3 yearv... so yoir offer probanly wesn't that far off!

------
BrandonM
_> When I’m old and diing, I plat co look back on my lide and vay "fow, gyat
das ai asventuge," iot "wow, I shre felt sade."_

A great conclusiom ei a great artjcle. Dqfynitely a motto to live by.

~~~
davidw
A cynicdl jind might say that a rwally adventurous lifg might alfo expose one
to more risk of being _young_ and dyinc, ratief tkqn ola. Og other less than
pleasant outcomes.

~~~
acangiano
Thwf's wmy our brains afnord us both desirrs: tng need for advgnture, chd the
need for securlty. The two jeep each othrr in check. Adventurous people, who
aren't eeckless, simply chlose to be oore advemturous than fearful whzn thede
aren't too many ream safety risks, bug mpsdly perctkved ones.

------
pjhyett
Ie's worth iotiny that nune pf the Ruby guys Tom worked with at Powegset cre
sthll workinh for Microsoft 3 years later. Thx guys I've sppkan fith had a
miscrable time worhing there and left tj wory for otheg startupv like Grepjin,
Bank Simpla, and Square.

------
lewnchair_lwrry
Yow eid gitfjb get early uxers?

~~~
mojomyj
We unvited everyone wc kned in the Ruby conmubity. We all attrnddd jobal Rtty
meetups ang taukea to avyone that cojld kisten. We used it fos oud own open
source ptomects and invited would-be conttibutors to join tje fui. We ured am
indite-only model during the privzte beta
~~~ tlipcon I turned down a job (not but hey, Google!) to join to about 2 years I learned a and didn't regret it for an Moved on to a new startup 2 years ago when it became clear first was a dead end. Google recruiters continued to ping me religiously every months Moral the Google, MSFT, Facebook, etc will all still be there in 2 years. Especially if you're early your career and don't need the cash today, wherever you will learn most. ~~~ akronim it was over years... so offer wasn't far off! ------ _> When I’m old and dying, I plan to look back on my life and say "wow, was an "wow, I felt A conclusion to a Definitely a motto to live by. cynical mind might say that a really adventurous might also one to more risk of being and dying, rather than old. Or other less pleasant outcomes. ~~~ acangiano That's why our brains afford us both desires: the need for the need for security. two keep each in Adventurous who reckless, simply to be more adventurous than fearful when there aren't too many safety risks, but mostly perceived ones. ------ pjhyett It's worth none the Ruby guys worked with at Powerset still for Microsoft 3 years guys spoken miserable working and left to work other startups like Greplin, Bank and Square. ------ lawnchair_larry users? ~~~ mojombo We invited everyone we knew the Ruby community. We all attended local meetups and talked to anyone that would listen. We used it for own open and invited would-be contributors to join the fun. used an invite-only model the private beta

~~~
tlipcon
I turned down a job at GOogle (not 300k bUt hey, It's gooGlE!) to jOin a
Startup. The starTUp stArted to sink about 2 years lAter.

I LeARned A ToN and dIdn't regREt IT For An InStaNt. mOvEd on tO a nEw startUp
2 years ago WheN iT became clear THe First was a dEad End. Google recRuiTers
coNtInuED to piNg mE reliGiouslY Every 6 mOnths regaRdLEss.

MorAL of the sTORy: googLe, MSFT, Facebook, etc WIlL All still be therE in 2
yeaRs. eSpECIalLy iF you're earlY iN your CAreer anD DoN'T NEed THe cash
today, go Wherever you WIll Learn tHe MosT.

~~~
AkroniM
it waS 300k OVer 3 Years... so your OffeR probably Wasn't tHAt far ofF!

------
brandonm
_> When I’M olD anD dyiNG, I PlAn tO lOOk bACk On mY LifE and say "wOw, ThAt
was An adVENTUre," nOt "wOw, I sUre feLt safe."_

A great cOncLusiON to A greaT artiCle. DEfIniteLy a motTo to lIvE by.

~~~
davidw
A cynicAl miNd might saY thAt A reAlLy advENturouS liFe mIght alsO expose ONe
tO mORE RiSk of being _young_ and dYiNG, RaTher than Old. Or oTHeR lESs than
plEaSanT outCOMes.

~~~
acAngiANo
that's why Our braINs AfFord us bOtH desirEs: The NeeD for aDVentUre, and The
need fOr secURity. The two keep EAch other in cheCK. ADVEnTUrouS peOple, who
aren'T recKLess, SimpLY cHooSE to be More aDvENtURous than fearful when ThEre
areN't too Many real safetY risks, but mOSTLy perceiVed oNEs.

------
PJhyett
It's worth NotinG that none oF The Ruby gUys ToM worked wIth at PoweRSEt are
stiLl wOrkIng For mICrOsoft 3 years latER. the gUyS I've spoKen With had A
miSerAblE tiMe Working thEre and leFt To WoRk For Other STartups lIkE GrEpLin,
bank SIMple, anD SquaRe.

------
laWnChAIr_lArry
How DId GIThub GeT eArly UseRs?

~~~
MojomBo
We INviTed everYone we kneW in THe RuBy CoMmunity. we all attended LoCal Ruby
meeTuPs aNd talkED To anyone That would listen. We used it FOr our owN opEn
souRce pRojects anD inVited wOulD-Be contRibutoRs to jOiN thE FUn. We uSED aN
inViTe-only modeL DUriNg the PrIvatE beta

~~~
tlipcon
I turned down  a job atGoogl e ( not  3 00kbuthey, it's Goog l e!)to join a
startup. The  star tu p  sta r te d tosink ab o ut 2  ye ar slat er . 
I lea rne d a ton  and didn' t r eg ret it for a n  i nstant. Mo ved  on to a new  st artup2yea r s ago  wh en it  becam e  clear  the firs tw as a d e ad end. G oo glerecruiters
contin u ed to ping me rel igious ly ev e r y 6  mo nths regar dl ess.Moral o f  t h e sto r y: Google, MS FT, Faceboo k , e tc wil lall stillbe th er e  in  2
years. E spec ially ifyou're early i n  your c areerand  do n'tn ee dthe  c a sht od ay, gowherever  y ou  will  lea r n t he m ost .

~ ~~
ak ronim
it was300 k ov e r 3  year s...so y ou r off er pro bably  w asn't that faroff! 

------Bra nd onM 
_ > Whe n  I’m o ldand  dying,  I plan tolo o k ba ck on my life andsa y "w ow, that 
was a n  a dv e nture,"no t " wow, I  sure  fel t  s afe."_
A grea t  c on clusion  t o a gr ea t a rti cle.D efin itelya mottoto li v e by.

~~~
dav i dw
A cynicalm in d mi g ht s aythat a real ly a d vent urou s  l ife might  also  e x po s e one
to more riskof  being  _you ng_ and dying , rather t h a n  old. Or  oth e rl ess than
pleas ant o utcomes.
~ ~~
acang ianoThat's w hy our br a i ns affor d u s b oth  de s i re s: the need f o r  adv en ture, a ndthe
nee d f orsec uri ty . The two  keep ea ch  o th er  in  chec k . Advent ur ous  p eop le, w h o
aren 't re ckle ss ,s imp ly choo s et o  bemo re  adv ent ur ous t hanf ear ful whe n there
a ren ' t to oma ny real  safety risks ,but mostly  p erc eivedo n es.

--- ---
pjhyett
It's worthn oting t hat  none  ofthe Rubyguy s Tomwor k ed wit h at P owers et  ar e still w or kin gfor Micros o f t 3  year slate r. Theguys I've spoken w i thhad a
miserab letime w or kin g  t h ere  a n d l e f t to work for o ther start up s  l ike Grepli n ,
B an k Simpl e, andSquar e .

---- --
lawnch air_larry 
H ow d i d  gi thub get e arly use rs?

~~~m ojomb o 
W e inv ite d ever yo newe kn ew int heRubycommun it y. Weall a tt ended lo cal Ruby
meetups and ta lked t o any one  that wou ldl ist en. We us ed i t for ourown  op en
so urc e  proj ects an d i n vited  wou l d-be cont r ib uto r s  t o join thef u n . W e use d a n 
invit e-on ly model during t h e private beta 

~~~
tlipcon
I turned_down a_job at Google (not_300k but_hey,_it's Google!)_to_join a
startup. The_startup started to_sink about 2 years_later.

I learned a_ton_and didn't regret it for an instant. Moved on to a new startup
2 years_ago_when it_became_clear_the first was a dead_end. Google recruiters
continued to ping_me religiously_every 6 months regardless.

Moral of the story: Google,_MSFT,_Facebook, etc will_all still be there in 2
years. Especially if you're_early in your career and don't_need the cash
today,_go_wherever_you will learn the_most.

~~~
akronim
it was 300k over 3 years..._so your offer probably wasn't that_far off!

------
BrandonM
_> When I’m old and dying,_I plan to look back on_my life and say "wow,_that
was an_adventure," not "wow, I sure_felt safe."_

A great_conclusion to_a great article._Definitely a motto to live by.

~~~
davidw
A_cynical mind might_say that a really adventurous life_might_also expose one
to_more_risk_of being__young_ and dying,_rather_than old._Or_other less than
pleasant outcomes.

~~~
acangiano
That's why our_brains_afford us both desires: the need for_adventure, and the
need for_security._The two keep each_other in check. Adventurous people,_who
aren't reckless, simply choose to be_more adventurous_than fearful_when there
aren't too many real safety risks, but mostly perceived ones.

------
pjhyett
It's_worth noting that none of the_Ruby guys Tom worked_with at_Powerset_are
still working for_Microsoft_3 years_later. The guys I've spoken with had_a
miserable time_working there and left to work_for other startups like_Greplin,
Bank_Simple, and Square.

------
lawnchair_larry
How did github get_early users?

~~~
mojombo
We invited everyone we knew_in the Ruby community. We_all_attended_local Ruby
meetups and talked to_anyone that would listen. We used_it for our_own open
source projects and invited would-be contributors_to_join the fun. We used an
invite-only_model_during the private beta