They had no concept of a duty of care to their users

A recent discussion on Hacker News highlights a critical critique of startup culture, specifically focusing on the lack of a 'duty of care' toward end-users. The discourse centers on how rapid growth, aggressive monetization, and the 'move fast and break things' mentality often lead founders to neglect the long-term well-being and safety of their customer base. Participants argue that the current venture capital model incentivizes short-term metrics over ethical responsibility, resulting in products that may exploit user data or psychological vulnerabilities. The conversation serves as a cautionary tale for entrepreneurs and investors alike, suggesting that the industry needs a fundamental shift toward prioritizing user interests. By examining historical failures in tech governance, the thread emphasizes that sustainable growth should be built on trust and accountability rather than purely transactional relationships, urging a re-evaluation of how startups define their obligations to the people who rely on their services.