Arrington: 'Demo needs to die' | Hacker News Reader

Arrington: 'Demo needs to die'

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9 pointsedw5196 comments

> "I think that certainly...TechCrunch 50 is a great venue for young companies," Shipley said by phone from Madrid, Spain. "But to put it up against Demo means those companies are now going to be competing for attention, and I just don't see how that's good for entrepreneurs."

Actually it gives entrepreneurs value by letting them choose between spending $0 for, say, half the attention formerly held at Demo, or by paying Demo's fees for half the attention formerly held at Demo.

Sounds great for entrepreneurs, terrible for Demo. ;-)

> Still, she suggested Arrington's assertion that Demo needs to die is unfortunate.

> "I'm not certain why it must die," Shipley said. "I think that there is a lot of room in the market for products and services that support entrepreneurs. And I don't see how it's a benefit to (the entrepreneurial ecosystem) to kill off a platform that's all about supporting entrepreneurs."

Hey, that's exactly the opposite of her previous argument! What is the word for when a hypocrite hypocritically uses different standards for different people in similar situations, in a hypocritical manner? Oh, yes: hypocrisy.

I don't read the statements are a contradiction. I read "to put it up against DEMO" as meaning "in the same calendar slot." If DEMO does support entrepreneurs--which it does--how does having more choice hurt? If you don't like their fee structure, then apply to TC50. Chris Shipley has been in the industry for a while and has helped a number of startups: I don't read her statements as hypocritical or believe that she is a hypocrite. If DEMO were really moribund Arrington wouldn't be able to attack it to get attention. From a YC/Hacker perspective, even if you prefer the TC50 model to DEMO, I don't believe that anyone is well served by having them collide in the same week.

> I don't read the statements are a contradiction.

Perhaps I was reading too much malice into it, but I came away with the distinct impression that had Demo been muscling in on TC50's weekend, her arguments would have been reversed.

proof that sensationalist titles win out: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=153604

Yes, in the general case, but that quote is also by far the most interesting part of the article

Techcrunch50 (proof that profit wins out) ...

it was TC20, (then moved to TC40) then added a demo (pay for play) pit, then added sponsors.

Im sure Mcdonalds thinks Wendy's should die.

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