The sentiment here is a response to a minority opinion that has deeper pockets than the majority opinion.
It is interesting because VC math forces a level of intensity that Basecamp doesn’t have to contend with. So in one sense, the message can be interpreted as “don’t take VC funding”.
The more obvious interpretation is that, regardless of financing, work should never dominate your life. But this is can be argued against, since some forms of financing like venture take away your control of work intensity.
The act of ceding voting power in your company is a step closer towards the work style that Jason and DHH are protesting.