VCs--an interview with Marc Andreess

on Twitter.

Marc Andreessen, a tall, bald-headed venture, has developed the first mainstream browser and co-founded Netscape. He invested and made a fortune in the early days of Twitter and Facebook. He was a Silicon Valley philosopher who, on Twitter, was bold enough to express his attitude towards all sorts of things, attracting a large number of supporters (and causing him to get into a lot of trouble). At this time of great controversy in the tech industry, Andreessen is the "cheerleader" of the tech circle and is actively promoting his own unique vision of the future.

This article is compiled from New York magazine's interview with Marc Andreessen, which is a long, 5th and final part of the story. The first 4 parts please:

Why to keep optimistic about the development of science and technology--an interview with Marc Andreessen (1)

Are there serious racial and gender discrimination in Silicon Valley--an interview with Marc Andreessen (2)

From Uber to the challenge of government regulation--an interview with Marc Andreessen (3)

Will robots rob us of our jobs--an interview with Marc Andreessen (4)

You used to portray the 20th century middle class as a myth.

There are two kinds of middle class. One is the history of the middle class, mainly the petty bourgeoisie, appeared in 17th century. Including vendors, shopkeepers, butchers, bakers, grocery store owners, and people who go to China to sell silk back. are basically businessmen.

Some notable changes took place in the 1940s, when the war destroyed other industrialized countries. The German industrial base was blown up and the Japanese economy was badly hit. Europe's developed industrial base has become ruins, the only industrial power without bombing is the United States, so the United States has become the only producer of industrial products.

The war spawned America's middle class?

It was an accident of history. We took advantage of this window of opportunity, which was about 1945 to 1966, 1968 years. At that time our development is a solo show, a variety of good things, one of them is the middle class this new thing development, this is unprecedented. At that time the high school education level people can get the university level salary. No competition, everything is beautiful. But after the rise of Japan and Germany, the beauty collapses.

You spoke last night about a phenomenon: "One of the problems of being a billionaire is that when your thoughts are stupid, no one will tell you," Is this about you? Is that what you're worried about?

I'm not a billionaire! I think it's funny that everyone thinks I'm talking about myself.

But if I work for you, I will not dare to point out your foolish thoughts.

What I'm trying to say is that a lot of billionaires don't realize that. They always know later, and they can't feel the various changes around them. They thought, "I'm still the old me, and I'm still here to do my own thing." It is hard for them to find that the people around him are better than they were 10 years ago. By the way, it's not just billionaires, including presidents, congressmen, mayors and anyone in power.

So how do you make sure you hear real feedback?

Every morning, when I get up, I can see that dozens of of people on Twitter are very careful about how stupid I am, which is really helpful to me.

Did they convince you?

They do keep me motivated. They don't necessarily convince me. But in a way, I like to argue.

Are you sure?

One of the big implications of Twitter for me is that more people can argue.

From the way you tweet, you only sleep 3 hours per night.

Sleep less every now and then.

Do you have a bed in your office? Can you make up your sleep?

Now this office is the first one in my life to have a door in my office because I have a couch for the first time in my office. So I did have a nap for a while yesterday.

What does VCs do every day? I think you're going to be in dozens of financing meetings a week, but if I follow you 24 hours a day, I'll find something.

In fact, our company makes only about 15 investment decisions a year.

It's a good life.

Yes, our output ultimately depends on the return on investment. We are the trustees of the investors. They entrusted us with a lot of money. The purpose of the company is to invest and then gain from these investments. We have about 15 large investments a year. So every stroke is a very important decision. In the end, why should we be responsible? is the 15 investments and the consequences. I spent a lot of my time working with the founders and CEOs of companies, and I was almost on call.

Again, leisure time: You have expressed your love for TV. I know you like Deadwood This play, is it still your favorite?

Yes, so far the favorite play.

To a certain extent, the play is very suitable for VCs because it is about gold rush and building society. Do you think you would be a gold digger in the Wild West?

Oh, I think I will. Deadwood happened in Dakota, but it's clear that California is where it all originated. So, no doubt, I will be one of the members, my life is fascinated by the expansion of the territory.

In my opinion, one aspect of pioneering innovation is to solve the problem of longevity. I think it's a lot of scientists who can't beat death.

This is an interesting question, if you do a survey in the United States and ask people if they want to live longer, you will be amazed to find that many people say no. About 70% or 80% of people would say they don't want to live longer.

Do you agree with them?

I think there are two negative factors that need to be very careful about prolonging life. First, as people grow older, they will increasingly resist new ideas. This is not an individual phenomenon, but a collective act. There are some exceptions, but in general, this is true. The second is inequality, and if people are given more than 20-50 years to create wealth, the concentration of wealth will become increasingly apparent as the age increases.

I hate to say "heritage", but when you sum up your life, what do you want people to know about you? is that Netscape? If you were to write a eulogy for you, Netscape would certainly be the first part of the story.

Let's not talk about the inheritance problem.

Do you think the peak of your life has come?

Oh, my God, I don't know how to answer this question.

Do you buy Apple Watch?

Sure, although I'm not a very good test-checker, I've bought every smart watch.

As I read about you, I find that you are not a very enthusiastic person except for normal etiquette. You said, "I don't like people." ”

I like people in an abstract sense.

Specifically on a personal level?

On a personal level, I don't know.