socialmedian: Let's Throw The DeadPool in the DeadPool

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Let's Throw The DeadPool in the DeadPool - socialmedian

Submitted by Jasongoldberg

Oct 21, 2008

Summary

There was an interesting discussion on socialmedian today regarding the daily "deadpool" and "layoff tracker" updates on sites like TechCrunch.

It's sensationalist journalism. It's done just for ratings. It's counter productive. It's hyperbolic. And it's time for it to go. There's no need for it and no place for it.

All of us in the "internet industry" are not just in the business of developing new products and ideas that could change the world, we're also all in the business of figuring out a sustainable business model. That's very hard to do. Efforts should be lauded. Mistakes should be acknowledged. Report the facts when layoffs happen. But there's no need to go tabloid when startups go sideways or don't make it.

The technology startup industry and supporting economy/financing model is designed to reward trying and failing and trying and failing and trying and failing and Read the full article

Comments (15)

Jasongoldberg,

Oct 21, 2008

MORE FROM THE POST: This writer/startup CEO also wonders outloud if the new media websites/blogs (the TechCrunch's, ValleyWag's, etc.) of the world will be as transparent when they themselves go sideways, screw up, or god-forbid have to layoff some employees. They too are still figuring out their business models. And that's ok.

I'd prefer we just change the tone entirely and focus on substance vs. getting ratings out necessary layoffs. In fact, I'd much rather read a thoughtful post by one of the editors of the new media websites/blogs on why they think tech startups should or should not tighten the belt right now. Lead that debate vs. encouraging the pile on. There are going to be A LOT of layoffs in the months ahead in startup land. We're just getting started on this. Let's get ahead of it and plan for resources for the laid-off. Take a leadership position in interviewing and highlighting companies who are hiring. Be part of the solution.

Jasongoldberg,

Oct 21, 2008

MORE: In sum, I agree with what Fred Wilson from USV said nearly two years ago regarding the deadpool:

"I have to shake my head at the resurrection of the dead pool, which was made popular last time around by Fucked Company. Do we really need to celebrate when companies fail? It's hard enough for everyone involved to deal with the dashed hopes and dreams of a failed startup. But now we are counting them like notches on a sword handle."

Please join me in encouraging our blogging friends and fellow startups to throw the deadpool in the deadpool.

Ebrage,

Oct 21, 2008

Great piece Jason. I hope "2.0"'s layoffs will not be met with the Rome-in-flames kind of glee that was in vogue with some during the last go round.

Jasongoldberg,

Oct 21, 2008

I updated the blog post http://blog.socialmedian.com/2008/10/lets_throw_the_deadpool_in_the.html to include a quote from @Louisgray on this back in August 2007.

Michaelfidler,

Oct 22, 2008

@jasongoldberg I would really like to get into this, but I only have a moment to post. The bottom line is;TechCrunch is part of the problem, and not the solution. I'm going to email you something I found on this later.

Beth C,

Oct 22, 2008

I think the "dead pool" concept made sense back in web 1.0 when so many of the companies being created were just ridiculous in concept and more ridiculous in execution. Today, I'd say reporting the dead pool simply to gloat (or get "ratings") is counterproductive to those looking to strengthen the tech or start-up community/economy. A deadpool that dissected valuable business lessons from the dearly departed might be better and more valuable approach.

Friarminor,

Oct 22, 2008

@michaelfidler I've no interest in contributing to more traffic to them and yes, TC seems full of itself. Thanks @jasongoldberg

Raythe,

Oct 22, 2008

I agree with the main sentiment in these posts. The original (Fucked Company) dotcom deadpool was a valid comment on the general trend of bloated biz plans etc. We're in a different age now. This recession is not the fault of new business startups it's the fault of old, old, bricks-mortar organisations getting far too greedy with other people's money.
Time to let the 'newshounds' know that we don't appreciate the wanton sniping and undermining. It all sounds a bit too smug.

Michaelfidler,

Oct 22, 2008

@michaelfidler Although it might only be a drop in the bucket, I think anybody that finds this practice offensive, might consider not reading TC for awhile.

A F,

Oct 22, 2008

not clear that I agree. The premise is that because I enjoy having a resource to view "deadpool" startups that I am rooting for more to fail? It is a MUST KNOW resource for any smart entrepreneur to watch failures, and learn from other's mistakes.

Jasongoldberg,

Oct 22, 2008

@A_F I'm all for reporting on it, just not for glorifying it. It's the tone I disagree with.

Mott,

Oct 22, 2008

@jasongoldberg Agreed, find the good in what they did, understand their challenges and learn from it.

Michaelfidler,

Oct 22, 2008

@mott I think you nailed it in that comment. The one thing that doesn't make any sense is TechCrunch is totally supportive of the start-ups,when it comes to their TC50,and in times like this,they tear them down. This year there was a lot of competition between Demo and TC 50,so Michael Arrington and Jason Calacanis went on television to make their case of how they were the true friends and supporters of startups. Only, one word comes to mind, "hypocrite" and an insecure one at that. This applies to Michael Arrington, and not Jason Calacanis.

Mott,

Oct 22, 2008

@michaelfidler It’s a dog eat dog world sometimes and it’s even more transparent online. I believe if you give somebody enough rope, eventually they will use it.

Rpetty,

Oct 24, 2008

I think this echos what happens quite often in our culture--we build em up to tear them down. The failure of a company is like anything else, there are valuable lessons to be learned, but those lessons are extracted by a careful and measured postmortem--not via sensationalism and attention grabbing headlines on some blog.