If we presume that Graham’s story is accurate, it still means that Altman took on two incompatible leadership positions, and only stepped down from one of them when asked to do so by someone who could fire him. That isn’t being fired. It also isn’t entirely not being fired.
According to the most friendly judge (e.g. GPT-4o) if it was made clear Altman would get fired from YC if he did not give up one of his CEO positions, then ‘YC fired Altman’ is a reasonable claim. I do think precision is important here, so I would prefer ‘forced to choose’ or perhaps ‘effectively fired.’ Yes, that is a double standard on precision, no I don’t care.
I think that Paul Graham’s remarks today—particularly the “we didn’t want him to leave” part—make it clear that Altman was not fired.
In December 2023, Paul Graham gave a similar account to the Wall St Journal and said “it would be wrong to use the word ‘fired’”.
These are the remarks Zvi was referring to in the post. Also worth noting Graham’s consistent choice of the word ‘agreed’ rather than ‘chose’, and Altman’s failed attempt to transition to chairman/advisor to YC. It sure doesn’t sound like Altman was the one making the decisions here.
I think that Paul Graham’s remarks today—particularly the “we didn’t want him to leave” part—make it clear that Altman was not fired.
In December 2023, Paul Graham gave a similar account to the Wall St Journal and said “it would be wrong to use the word ‘fired’”.
Roon has a take.
These are the remarks Zvi was referring to in the post. Also worth noting Graham’s consistent choice of the word ‘agreed’ rather than ‘chose’, and Altman’s failed attempt to transition to chairman/advisor to YC. It sure doesn’t sound like Altman was the one making the decisions here.
Of some relevance in this context is that Altman has apparently for years been claiming to be YC Chairman (including in filings to the SEC): https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/inno/stories/news/2024/04/15/sam-altman-y-combinator-board-chair.html