The Role of the Critic

There’s a popular Silicon Valley view that a founder or company should not be criticized. You have to be founder friendly. And in fact the more successful the founder, the more friendly you should be to them. It’s usually wrapped in a reference to Teddy’ Roosevelt’s ‘man in the arena’, making having ‘done something’ a prerequisite for daring to have a thought.

But the fear of criticism in Silicon Valley is usually masquerading something: sycophantic cowardliness.

It’s an unfortunate side effect of a great trait of Silicon Valley, where founders can (mostly) choose who they work with and reputations matter. There’s a risk to an investor or founder for being too critical: you might not get a favor returned in the future.

So this leads to a kind of reflective defense against any thought from a journalist or online commentary. There is no ‘punching up’ or even ‘punching sideways’ allowed, and of course punching down is not acceptable in any situation. If you are richer or luckier or ‘more successful’ you are insulated from commentary, and this often extends far past your area of expertise.

It’s a perspective I find rather authoritarian in nature, and quite ironic given so much of the Valley’s success is predicated on the idea that a good idea can come from anywhere.

Because ultimately that’s what good criticism does. It shares a different perspective. A critic’s role isn’t to be negative: it’s to open up a new way of looking at something.

The criticism might be correct, or it might be wrong but still be valuable in opening your mind. Of course, not all criticism is well-intentioned, thoughtful, or smart. But imagine the sad, hero-worshipping culture we’d have without it.

One of the few positives of our recent political climate is that there seems to be a greater acceptance of others even in the face of disagreement. The fact that we can disagree and still discuss is the fuel of a innovative and civil society.

I can’t find the post on X but I think it was Martin Casado who said one of the best things about being a founder over an investor is you’re free to say what you want. I encourage you to do so.