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Advice on applying to hackNY
Over the last few weeks, I’ve gotten a few emails asking for advice on applying to hackNY. Each time, I’ve rewritten my thoughts on the application process — gradually refining the emails. Over the...
View ArticleMashery/Intel acquires HackerLeague
A little less than 2 years ago, I sent this email to organizers@hackerleague.com: Hi, My name is Jesse Pollak and I am a student at Pomona College. I am organizing a hackathon and would love to get the...
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Am I killing the thing I love?
There’s no website I love more than Hype Machine — and I’m scared I’m killing it slowly. What is Hype Machine and why is it so awesome? If you’ve never heard of Hype Machine before, I highly recommend...
View ArticleTurning off the internet at home
When Clef moved to Oakland, we decided that that we’d experiment with something new: no internet at home. Today, five months later, we’re calling an end to the experiment and turning on our internet....
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Turning off the lights for fun and profit
When I was a kid, I was never particularly good at turning off the lights. My parents reminded me often, but I somehow always managed to forget. There was no malintent, I wasn’t trying to kill the...
View ArticleThe constantly drafting mentality
The first blog I ever kept was updated every day. Each night, every night, I’d return home, pull out my computer, and stare at my screen until words materialized on the page. The strategy produced a...
View ArticleMy low paying, early morning, exertion requiring job
Five months ago, I picked up a new job: every morning, I wake up at 6am, hop on my bike, and transport 50 bagels from Beauty’s Bagels to Awaken Cafe. After a quick cup of coffee, I bike on to my next...
View ArticleThe paradox of success
For the longest time, I imagined success as a compounding asset: as you became more successful, each future positive achievement became easier. I looked at large companies and famous founders and...
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What I’ve learned in my first year as a college dropout
Note: this is a long piece, but it doesn’t need to be consumed in one read (or even in a linear order). As you scroll down, you’ll see that I’ve in fact written nine short essays, each one mostly...
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Acqui-hires save our face but kill our dreams
8:00am, Monday August 11th Today is one of the hardest days of my two year journey at Clef. Already tormented by the ups and downs of fundraising, a big deal fell through on Sunday and we start our...
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