A VC - Latest Comments in Doubt

Re: Doubt

Nelson Cheng — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 00:42:01 -0000

For those interested in checking out the play, it's available via Google Book Search (the link below should be to the first page):
http://books.google.com/books?id=9Jg55OUsecYC&p...

You can also buy the play at Drama Book Shop (250 W40th)

Re: Doubt

JB — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 23:02:57 -0000

c'mon Fred, of course Bush has doubts. Churchill had doubts, Reagan had doubts, Ghandi had doubts, MLK had doubts. And i'm sure you're seething at the fact i put Bush in the same sentence with Churchill and Ghandi. But they persevered and fought for what they believed despite the hatred and naysayers and people doubting them and their decisions along the way. And they all had doubts, they're all humans. You're no better or smarter than Bush, you imply that you are in your post. Take the long view and understand that the only way terrorism will stop is if freedom & democracy and hope come to the next several generations in the Middle East. Many parts of the middle east are run like countries were run 500 years ago - ridding the earth of these anachronisms wont take years, it'll take decades. it won't be easy, but it's necessary. it won't be pretty, but 'prettyness' isn't the goal. Fred, for a VC who takes pride in his analysis of companies and markets and potential, and pride on taking taking the long view when it comes to businesses, your view seems awfully shortsighted and biased when it comes to foreign policy.

Re: Doubt

Steve Kane — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 18:21:20 -0000

You're right. Great leadership manages to balance honesty and transparency with inspiration and vision and "damn the torpedos, full speed ahead".

Re: Doubt

fredwilson — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 17:49:16 -0000

but i totally agree about smiling. that is really important in a leader.

Re: Doubt

fredwilson — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 17:48:52 -0000

steve

i disagree.

i do share my doubts with our LPs. they deserve to know when we are nervous about certain things.

and a CEO must lead, but I do think they can be honest with the team about the challenges ahead, and the fact that some of their decisions will be wrong and the consequences could be painful.

fred

Re: Doubt

fredwilson — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 17:46:48 -0000

brian, it's comments like yours that make me think.

thanks

fred

Re: Doubt

EthanBauley — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 15:57:04 -0000

Context is everything...by being honest about your doubts, it really gives you the freedom to stretch your mind [especially publicly].

I really learned this through parsing all the dogma about the collision of the music and tech industries.

[Especially here on AVC]

Re: Doubt

Tammie — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 15:26:58 -0000

I saw the play Doubt last year at the Seattle Rep. It was a bit depressing...

Re: Doubt

jackson — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 14:08:54 -0000

Excellent post.

As Americans, we tend to value conviction and strong will in our leadership, yet our greatest statesmen were plaugued with doubt.

Re: Doubt

Nick Davis — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 14:03:15 -0000

I rarely go wrong quoting the prescient Conor Oberst:

When the president talks to God
Are the consonants all hard or soft?
Is he resolute all down the line?
Is every issue black or white?
Does what God say ever change his mind
When the president talks to God?

.....

When the president talks to God
Does he ever think that maybe he's not?
That that voice is just inside his head
When he kneels next to the presidential bed
Does he ever smell his own bullshit
When the president talks to God?

I doubt it

I doubt it

Re: Doubt

Anselm — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 13:54:41 -0000

"There are those of you in church today who know exactly the crisis of faith I describe. I want to say to you: Doubt can be a bond as powerful and sustaining as certainty. When you are lost, you are not alone."
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/entertainment/ja...
Useful?

Re: Doubt

Mike — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 13:53:12 -0000

When someone tells me that there is no truth, I'm pretty sure I'm going to hear their version of it.

Re: Doubt

Steve Kane — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 12:00:25 -0000

There is such a thing as truth. Some examples:

On Earth, at sea level, water freezes at 0 degrees Celsius.

...and...

On Earth, water is two atoms of hydrogen plus one atom of oxygen.

As for a USA President's having doubts, first, no matter what one thinks about President Bush, hopefully we can all agree he is a human being. And human beings have doubts. Period.

Second, leadership often boils down to the ability to inspire others and create confidence in the face of adversity. Fred, how often does a VC share panic feelings with LPs? Do VCs look for their portfolio company CEOs to walk around the office telling everyone, "You know, historically 90% of startups fail"?

My absolute favorite quote of all time:

When Dwight D. Eisenhower was asked what his most important job was in World War II, he answered:

"To smile."

Re: Doubt

Dick Costolo — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 11:45:17 -0000

I seriously doubt that george bush has any doubt that he's anything other than absolutely right.

Re: Doubt

Brian — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 11:11:56 -0000

"What I look for most in people is an open mind. I dislike zealots, righteous people, certainty."

Sounds like you are very close minded about doubt. This reminds me of the old "I really hate people who don't love their fellow man."

Not liking people who are certain of their actions sounds pretty closed minded. I do not know of any wartime leader who has publicly expressed doubt during their time in office.

I share your thinking about doubt, but I don't believe everybody has to think like me. You could say I am a diversity zealot when it comes to thought.

I love your blog, but sometimes you can be very close minded when it comes to your worldview.

Re: Doubt

Aruni Gunasegaram — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 10:33:19 -0000

Thought provoking post. I think the human feeling of doubt is part of each of our checks & balances system. Bush must feel even just an inkling of doubt now but as someone said he probably doesn't feel like he can express that to the world (let alone to his his mother & father, his wife and kids). In Mother Teresa's recent letters even she expressed doubt about her faith. To me, that just made what she did all the more miraculous and I felt more respect for her. Even Jesus had doubts when he said 'why hast Thou forsaken me' If you don't stop and question whether you picked up the right instrument to get the job done, you might just keep using the wrong one indefinitely...

I have never heard of the play so I would not be much help in finding the screen play for you...

Re: Doubt

kid mercury — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 07:03:21 -0000

it is crucial to understand that bush is not OUR president. two stolen elections and lie of 9/11 make it clear that he is just a puppet installed by others -- not the people of the United States.

the problem is that the people of the United States are unwilling to face the facts, and are all too willing to accept the lies of the complicit media.

Re: Doubt

David B. Workman Sr — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 06:26:45 -0000

One thing to realize is Iraq, and the well-being of this nation is not a play. Not only should we think what if, in all we do, but have genuine concern for the future. As America plays referee in Iraq, there are two other nations building, training, and preparing for the future. Our concern should be, will we still be able to protect our country here, when they are finished. Some had doubts with Enron, some would not face the truth, and lost everything.
DBW

Re: Doubt

fredwilson — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 05:25:22 -0000

i am sure you are right. all i wanted was the opening monologue

Re: Doubt

Michael Chui — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 02:53:36 -0000

The play is only 3 years old. There's no way anyone would have released the manuscript online.

Re: Doubt

itsdono — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 01:37:56 -0000

Fred,

I'll tell you a few anecdotes about Bush - you don't know me and have no way to confirm this, but here it is:

My wife and I have a friend who is a very long-time buddy of Bush, we'll call him Tom. He, his buddies and "Bushie" (as he calls him) have gotten together many times over the years, before Bush was President and since. When Bush first became President, Tom mentioned how he and all his buddies visited him and after they got the full tour of the White House and dinner, they all sat out on the Truman balcony overlooking the mall. They felt like they were in another universe, sitting with the "President" at that place and time, before 9/11. About two years ago, he visited Bush again in the White House and while visiting told him he thought his decision on Iraq was a bad one, and told him why. Bush politely responded that he understood Tom's opinions, but that he believed that it was the right thing to do.

My opinion is that Bush believes that what he did was right, given the circumstances at the time. In hindsight, I bet he wonders what he got himself into in Iraq. But no person with the responsibility of protecting 300 million people is going to wear that doubt on his sleeve.

Lastly, even Abraham Lincoln, who held the union together by force of will, and against rabid hatred of him by the opposition party and disdain by his own party, had doubts about whether his decision to abolish slavery was right. But he didn't speak it to the world.

Re: Doubt

vruz — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 01:25:16 -0000

When you have a power to decide on the lives of so many people, especially the ones who already died in service, humilty and doubt are a must.
But I'm afraid irresponsability is too soft of a word to describe it.

Re: Doubt

Kendal H — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 23:16:59 -0000

I consider myself a Google master (so good, sometimes I consider putting it on my resume). I can not find this for the life of me. I am going to go out there and say it is not available on the internet.

Re: Doubt

greenskeptic — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 22:56:44 -0000

Doubt is a privilege of the faithful.

Re: Doubt

Matt — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 22:46:55 -0000

It is DEFINTELY a bad idea.

;)

Well said.