Rick Segal spotted this gem by Stanley Bing.

Marc Andressen continues to thwack it out of the park with a few more thought-provoking entries on VC:

The PMarca Guide to Startups, part I: Why NOT to do a startup

Navigating an asteroid field is evidently quite tricky.

But seriously, you have to be ok with the overwhelming likelihood of failure. Not because anyone’s mean or against you. Not because it can’t be done. But because the odds are (again) overwhelmingly against you. If you know that and it’s still crucial to go for it, have at it.

For all the successful tech companies that made bazillions, there are bazillions who made nothing. Call it the long tail of startup failure. It happens everywhere: professional sports (sure Pedro makes ga-millions, but ga-millions of players never even make the minors), real estate investing (don’t get me started about “experts” who make all their money teaching others. If real estate’s so easy, why not teach others for a small cut of what they earn, instead of cash upfront? Some will make a lot, many will make nothing or lose money), network marketing, etc. etc. etc.

I ‘m not saying don’t try, I’m saying don’t be a dumbass naive about what you try to do.

The PMarca Guide to Startups, part II: When the VCs say “no”

ROTFL:

Being told “no” by VCs in 1999 is a lot different than being told “no” in 2002.

If you were told “no” in 1999, I’m sure you’re a wonderful person and you have huge potential and your mother loves you very much, but your plan really was seriously flawed.

If the layers of an onion are the layers of risk for your newco:

The whole theory of venture capital is that VCs are investing in risk — another term for venture capital is “risk capital” — but the reality is that VCs will only take on so much risk, and the best thing you can do to optimize your chances of raising money is to take out risk.

Peel away at the onion.

It can be difficult. It can sting. It can even make you cry.

Bonus: Also funny (from a link embedded in PMarca Part I)