Ghost Engineers, Measuring Productivity, & Memecoin Scams | E2056
This Week in Startups
The Ghost Engineer Phenomenon
This chapter examines the issue of 'ghost engineers' in tech companies, where underperforming employees continue to receive substantial salaries. It discusses the implications for workplace management, productivity, and potential solutions to ensure accountability and fairness in compensation.
Todays show:
In this episode, we discuss Hailey Welch and the viral Hawk coin, then discuss David Sachs' new White House role and recent job data's economic impact. We address the United Healthcare CEO's murder, debate cancel culture, and a viral tweet on software engineers' habits. Deedy Das offers insights on tech inefficiencies and the shift to in-person work. Coffeezilla joins to explore crypto scams, influencer marketing ethics, and regulation. We wrap up with David Sachs' Czar role in AI and crypto for the US government, market dynamics, and a new addition to the Twist 500.
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Timestamps:
(0:00) Jason and Alex kick off the show
(1:53) Economic outlook and recent job data (5:12) Reaction to United Healthcare CEO murder
(9:19) LinkedIn Ads - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups
(10:48) Cancel culture debate and public statements (16:00) Viral tweet about software engineers' work habits
(19:02) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at https://www.vanta.com/twist
(20:08) DeeDee Doss interview on software engineer productivity (23:17) Management incentives and tech company inefficiencies (25:16) Shift to in-person work in tech startups
(29:37) Ramp - Get $250 when you join Ramp today at https://www.ramp.com/twist (31:20) Remote work psychology and potential abuse (37:35) Strategies to prevent remote work abuse (39:24) Hayley Welch interview on viral meme coin (41:00) Coffeezilla's investigations into scams and frauds (47:42) Cryptocurrency red flags and influencer consequences (52:50) Crypto regulation and influencer marketing ethics (59:03) Influencer credibility and responsibility (1:03:21) Coffeezilla's assignment and Rabbit AI device insights (1:04:01) David Sachs announcement and AI/crypto in government (1:07:25) Regulatory capture and Silicon Valley dynamics (1:09:15) Market perspectives and government influence
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Mentioned on the show:
Check on Menlo Ventures: https://menlovc.com/
Check out Coffeezilla: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFQMnBA3CS502aghlcr0_aw
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Follow Coffeezilla:
X: https://x.com/coffeebreak_YT
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Follow Deedy:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debarghyadas/
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Follow Alex:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexwilhelm
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Follow Jason:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis
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Thank you to our partners:
(9:19) LinkedIn Ads - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups
(19:02) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at https://www.vanta.com/twist
(29:37) Ramp - Get $250 when you join Ramp today at https://www.ramp.com/twist
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Great TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe, Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland
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Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis
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Follow TWiST:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups
Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com
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