Reading rank 398
How Not to Die
, subject: Essay derived from a Y Combinator dinner talk on startup survival, 2007
How Not to Die is a Paul Graham essay that puts survival ahead of a founder's other aims.
15
Coverage Score
2
Scored evidence
About this work
Published in 2007 from a Y Combinator dinner talk, the essay describes common causes of startup failure and urges founders to keep shipping and stay engaged.
Why read it
Best if you want an essay that makes survival a founder's first priority.
Key themes
- Survival comes first
- Defining the goal as not dying
Evidence and original sources
Source: official Founders episode — #275
This record is supported by 3 public evidence rows linked to original Founders episodes.
- Paul Graham — David calls this one of his favorite Paul Graham essays.