This should somehow get a bonus mod above the "5" score. We should somehow flag posts that are first person, "been there, done it and understand it." I would add that not only should you read those publications he (AC) cites, but also, if you have time Google other startups the VC has funded. Just perhaps, you know one of them. Perhaps, you know someone who knows them. You get the idea. Call them. Don't talk specifics about your plan, or theirs, but get an idea of what the VC's non-verbals gave away. Were they mostly interested in finance? How technical did their questions get? How prepared were they (eg. 10 slide PPT as someone above mentions, or 2,000 page business plan that the VCs actually read, etc)?
To also build upon AC's comment, "Be really sure you want to do it," keep in mind you're now "locking in to buying your job." I owned a small retail and service business. If you are 50% of the "company," you often can't "just call in sick," when you feel bad. If you own your own business, you have the stress of knowing your livelihood rests on your decisions. This isn't bad, but it is stressful. Now with a VC, add the fact you have a VC's money. Keep in mind that if you go under, personal assets aren't as "safe," as business classes try to make you believe in "Why to incorporate," lessons. The VC may ask you to sign a personal guarantee, which is above and beyond a business debt.
I used to think reading comprehension was a dying art, but I guess it's just my ineffective writing. I will elaborate. The subject was human suffering. The subject was not crime. As you'll see in the replies below, your "daily" observations are not the norm, unless things have drastically changed since I left the US two years ago.
Which brings me to the next lapse in communication. When I write, "I saw this today in Afghanistan," it means I am seeing this first hand, in the country called Afghanistan within 24 hours of writing it. I saw it again today. This wasn't a meth addict. This was a boy who's family lives in dirt. Not figuratively. Literally. The scraps he gets before the goats got there (they were about 300 yards to my left), are for his family. There is no infomercial showing me this. I very rarely watch TV, possibly an hour every couple weeks. I haven't had a professor since I finished Grad School 13 years ago.
I've been around the world. I've seen Jamaicans who's "house" was a piece of corrugated steel leaned up against a tree, just 5 miles from a pristine Nike factory that likely made the shoes you're wearing, or some like them. I've been around Europe (France, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, Holland, UK, and a few others) where I see what freedoms and opportunities we, as Americans, enjoy that so many, like you, take for granted.
So, I'll conclude this with the same statement I made before: Get out of the US. See the world. Spend two months ANYWHERE. I don't care where. Anywhere outside North America, and then come back and complain about the US. It's nearly a rhetorical statement, because anyone outside of the US wouldn't complain. Why do you think most of the world tries to immigrate here? It's certainly not because of the picture you paint with your "daily" happenings and local newspaper articles. The corruption of our news media is also a completely different topic.
My main point still is undisputed: Even our homeless in the US are far better off than the suffering in many 3rd world countries, where people are literally starving to death on the street.
And, numnuts, you are free. Not in the "Vandals" kind of way where you can walk into a deli and piss on the cheese, but post something up critical about your government. Now go sit and watch your door... Nothing... Right. Enjoy that (for now). Now, look for a job and apply. Enjoy the ability. Now, decide you want to drive from your state to the next. Enjoy the ability. Now, look out your window and decide what YOU want to do today. Enjoy that ability. Decide what you want to eat, regardless of what it is because nothing is out or rationed. Enjoy that. Make eye contact with a cop, smile, say hello, and not get beaten (LAPD and NYPD may be exceptions to this). Enjoy that freedom. Got a good idea, such as an Internet Search Engine, a Personal Computer named after a fruit, or goofy site to "Like" stuff your friends made, then go ahead and do it. Enjoy that freedom. Make millions and put it into your own account. Enjoy that for awhile, but keep in mind everyone in the government or with a lawyer is now gunning to take it from you. Enjoy that brief freedom.
Get it? Better yet. Don't get it. Get out and see the world. Spend 2 months in Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia, or anywhere undeveloped...then come back to me and complain about the US. The last point to make is the irony is the largest reserves recently found of oil is in the US. Are we invading ourselves now smartguy?
Thanks for the reply which was constructive. The more I see of the world, the more I see we need more people like you...and a lot less of the other guy who replied. Unfortunately, you can't cure @$$hole syndrome outside of a warzone nearly as easily as you can in one (where "things happen"...or "Inshallah")
I don't want to have to click, sign-in etc to read articles here. I don't know why it's changed, but if Slashdot was looking for a way to stop me from coming to this site daily (which I've done for many years), they did an awesome job.
I interviewed with a colleague and boss, and things went well. There was a delay of 3-4 weeks for the offer letter and in the interim, I was asked to interview with a 3rd person, even though, "I already had the job." In casual conversation I mentioned, "You know there's two types of leaders/managers: Theory X and Theory Y. Theory X believe people have to be pushed to do a good job. Theory Y believe everyone wants to do well and a manager just figures out how to remove the roadblocks." This third person said, "I'm definitely Theory X." Spidey senses tingled like crazy. 5 months later, I've been working for the 3rd person and it's been constant headaches due to his management style.
So, ask him "What do you think motivates people? You as a manager, or do you think people are naturally, internally very motivated to do a good job." The answers will be really revealing because a Theory X responder won't realize the "tell."
New York... when civilization falls apart, remember, we were way ahead of you. - David Letterman