Disqus - Latest Comments for dennychapin

Re: Marqed Beta

Denny Chapin — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:08:59 -0000

Thanks!!

Re: The Biggest Loser Can Be The Biggest Winner

Denny Chapin — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:54:25 -0000

There seems to be a difficult assertion you've made: both that the boom was good for VCs and that the leaning of investments is also good for VCs--in this sense being overweight and slimming down are both 'healthy'. The statements don't contradict one another necessarily, BUT I'm having a hard time imagining how we describe when the VC market is "too fat".

I mean it's just a metaphor, but I'm wondering. Is it good when there's bloat AND good when that bloat is getting trimmed down?

Re: What We Can Learn From Mess

Denny Chapin — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 13:30:01 -0000

I don't really understand how craigslist isn't innovative.

And we can think of a million very profitable companies that aren't reinventing the wheel every day. Instead they are focused on efficiency, partnerships, pivoting customer segments, and their overall business process. Why? Competitive edge.

Not every product that happens post web2.0 has to be a NEW product. It just has to have a competitive edge. These days we're seeing more and more products that bring LESS to the table to _emphasize_ the hidden utility in the multi-functional services of the past. That in itself may be a new breed of innovation, but it surely is the "super-basic" featureset.

"Hasn't history shown us this?" is 100% rhetoric. History has an infinite number of examples to choose from.

Re: What We Can Learn From Mess

Denny Chapin — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 11:48:55 -0000

Fred, would you like to fund entrepreneurs like Matt & Craig OR ideas that resemble craigslist's economic model (30 employees pushing 100,000,000 in revenue). My general sentiment from the short amount of reading I've done and hearing you speak at 'The Naked Truth' in Seattle was that market > idea > team.

Being the first major player in this exploding market seems to have more of an impact than Matt and Craig (not to say they aren't brilliant for playing in that market).

Re: Tweet to Beat: Let Me Up the Ante (Plus: Vietnam School Video and Pics)

Denny Chapin — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:09:30 -0000

You are a good man Tim Ferriss.

Re: From Tesla Motors to the “Patriot Hack” - Martin Eberhard on Protecting Your Privacy Online

Denny Chapin — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 03:00:30 -0000

Hey Tim,

I've actually already made a video guide that shows users how to use proxies with firefox while abroad. I had to get creative during my last semester abroad at University of Glasgow; the video was the result.

Hopefully you find it helpful.

Re: Stop Rationalizing and Make Hard Decisions: Learning from Dr. King

Denny Chapin — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:35:21 -0000

This is fascinating to me, as I've just read Galileo, who essentially backed down from what he knew was right, so he could live on to actually express what he believed was right (writing "The Discorsi", his book on motion).

So while I value Mr. King's argument, and his deeds, there is indeed a counterpoint to this idea as displayed in history.

Not only this, but there are many times where quieting your voice to be heard another day IS important.

So there is an obvious discrepancy here. I think that to generalize that we die when we lay silent is simply that, a generalization. Often times, to do so is, as mentioned before, the means for which more POTENT change can occur.

My two cents. Just don't want to let this be too black and white.

Re: A Day in Pictures - San Francisco (Plus: Reader Survey)

Denny Chapin — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 04:20:32 -0000

Tim,
I've experienced a lot more of life after reading your book and pushing myself towards those eustress moments, as you would call them.

You are going to Seattle. I live there. It is wonderful.

How to have an orgasm of chocolate: Dilettante Chocolate
www.dilettante.com

416 Broadway E
Seattle, WA 98102
(206) 329-6463

Go at 11pm. Walk up and down Broadway to get a feel for some Seattle youth culture.

An amazing Sunday Brunch: 5 Spot
www.chowfoods.com

1502 Queen Anne Ave N
Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 285-7768

The restaurant picks a city for each quarters theme. I don't know what the theme is now. Just got back from Athens.

University Ave:
This is THE college street of Seattle. You'll find some amazing cheap food here. I HIGHLY recommend Thai Tom's. It's about the size of a bread box. A bread box full of Thai fire deliciousness.

There's also a great Pho place as well. Recommended. Bring it down to the Lake. Just ask (last time I did this someone offered me Hashish--but that was in Florence so who knows.. It's Seattle, it could happen).

For Wine: Esquin Wine Merchants
www.esquin.com

2700 4th Ave S
Seattle, WA 98134
(206) 682-7374

Great selection. My mom used to work there, so if you are nice to me, we can probably get you 10% off.

Pike Place Market: Saturday or Sunday from 9-12 noon. Packed. In a wonderful way. Go to the Crumpet Shop on 1st. It's amazing.

Gasworks Park: 2101 N Northlake Way, Seattle
Go at 11pm on a clear night to see the city lite up, reflected on Lake Washington.

Belltown: (an area) go for drinks.

Contact me if you want to borrow a bike or eat dinner with my family. I'm still convincing my dad to read your book. The title is short of bullshit (sorry--I'm a full supporter) so I understand his skepticism. Anyway. Seattle is a beautiful city with character. Walk the streets, especially Capital Hill.

If you let me know what days you're in town I can let you know more specific regular/cool events.

Enjoy it.

Re: Real Life Extension: Caloric Restriction or Intermittent Fasting? (Part 1)

Denny Chapin — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 23:32:47 -0000

Hunter gatherer thought experiments make a lot of sense when it comes to diet but I think that sort of though experiment can be really contorted when it comes to gender studies and studies about the evolution of civilization. Think Thomas Hobbes and the State of Nature. I think there is a big limit to our thinking experiments and the empirical facts. In this case they align but I don't see the empirical facts being wrong/harmful if they don't align with the hunter/gatherer thought experiment.

Just my 2 cents from studying some philosophy and arguing against Hobbes and Rawls.

Re: Escaping the Entrepreneurial Seizure: Interview with Michael Gerber (Plus: Tim Speaking)

Denny Chapin — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 23:54:00 -0000

My questions for the art of speed panel:

If we focus on making things go faster in life, how can we simultaneously slow down for the parts that are really rich and wonderful? (Are these categories (semi-)contradictory or are they compatible?)

One can see the logic in the notion that instead of do the things we dislike faster, we ought not do them at all. How? (This question might be too contextual/situational to answer generally).

Tim. Love your stuff. Literally changed my world view and how to achieve what I want in my life. Helped me decide to get my PhD in philosophy when I'm raising my kids instead of in 2 years (currently 20).

Do you have any suggestions on how to convince my Dad that he can outsource some of his work? I think his conflict is at an identity level emotional connection with his work where he sees freedom as a weekend and living as his 9-6. I wish I could inspire my reckless wonderment in him and encourage him to hire a golf tutor or something and realize that life is not income. I think these insights will lead to better families as well because it frees us from the value of money attached to time and replaces it with value attached to time.

Awesomeness 200.