
Startup Experts Discuss Doing Things That Don't Scale | Office Hours
Get every episode summarized
Each time Y Combinator Startup Podcast publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
About this episode
A little over ten years ago Paul Graham published the essay "Do Things That Don't Scale." At the time, it was highly controversial advice that spoke to the drastically different needs of an early startup versus the needs of a much larger, more established company.
YC Partners discuss PG's essay, its influence on Silicon Valley, and some prime examples of YC founders that embraced the mantra "Do Things That Don't Scale."
Read Paul Graham's essay here: http://paulgraham.com/ds.html
Get every episode summarized
Each time Y Combinator Startup Podcast publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from Y Combinator Startup Podcast

Robot-Use Agents: Why General-Purpose Models May Win in Robotics
Y Combinator Startup Podcast

The State of Startups in 2026
Y Combinator Startup Podcast

8 Ways To Improve Your Outbound Sales
Y Combinator Startup Podcast

Open Models Change The Economics of AI
Y Combinator Startup Podcast