Bringing back one of the most loved episodes on @FoundersInArms. The AI revolution has deeper roots than you think. @paultoo, Gmail creator & former YC partner, reveals how Google's "Did you mean?" feature was actually early AI. A fascinating look at how foundational innovations connect across decades. Listen to the full episode in bio.

"The easiest thing to do...is to fool yourself." Paul Buchheit talks about how important it is to fail in order to move past failure. Founders are often biased and have a positive outlook that their business will work out, but it's extremely important to confront reality early and honestly. Too many entrepreneurs get trapped in their own optimism, collecting vanity metrics and cherry-picking data that supports their vision. Paul's perspective comes from decades of building products at Google, creating Gmail, and investing in hundreds of startups through Y Combinator. He's seen countless founders who could have saved months or years by being more honest about what wasn't working. We're bringing back one of the most loved episodes of @FoundersInArms this week. More insights from @paultoo (Gmail Creator & Former YC Partner) on our classic Founders in Arms episode. Link in bio.

Stay away from ideologies that teach you that one demographic is the root of all your problems. They're all toxic and full of losers and miserable souls.

I remember PB telling New Story at YC, “You could build new towns.” We were 24yr old kids. Knew almost nothing ab what it takes to “build towns.” PB encourages this mentality in founders. Fast forward. We’re producing ~2,500 housing lots this year, that will start a few new towns. For context, <1% of all US and Mexican builders/developers produce more than 2,000 serviced housing lots a year. And less than that actually start new towns. He likely didn’t know those odds when he made his suggestion. He just knew it’d be possible if we had the ambition and resilience to go for it. PB also pushed me on what it’d take to be more financially sustainable. “Why keep having to raise that much philanthropy when you could just charge X% for…” We’re now doing that. It’s changed the future of @NewStoryHomes. And I know he’s encouraged hundreds, if not thousands, of other founders to just do things. If you’re raising a series A, check out PB’s new firm @Standard_Cap. Thank you @paultoo @ycombinator

"Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness" = "You can just do things"

Excited that @paultoo will be participating in this 🇺🇸

If you think the government is effective and spends money wisely, there is literally nothing stopping you from voluntarily sending them more money, beyond what you pay in taxes.

It was the summer of Windows '95... My first (and only) time shipping the kind of software that is sold in cardboard boxes at the mall

America is still the greatest country in the history of the world. What exists here is outside the norm of human history. It may not be perfect, but it’s as close as we’ve gotten. Unfortunately, far too few Americans realize it and instead focus on the imperfections to the point of wanting to give up the freedoms and prosperity that were so difficult to win. The growing wave of anti-Americanism on both the left and right, which seeks to vilify and destroy the very system that has allowed such progress, is the biggest threat we face. It must be fought against with everything we have. That fight has to start with recognition of what we have achieved and gratitude for it. On this Independence Day, I remain thankful to be an American.

Last week, Gallup polled only 36% of Democrats are “extremely or very proud” to be American. In the greatest country in the world, that’s just wrong. I’m unapologetically grateful for our nation and the American Way of Life—today, and always. Happy Birthday, America. 🇺🇸