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Why Mean People Fail

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Paul Graham's essay Mean People Fail argues that the most successful people tend to be kind rather than mean. While meanness is common, it is rarely found among top founders, as it makes people irrational and ineffective. Startups thrive by innovating, not fighting. Mean founders struggle to attract and retain talented employees, which is essential for success. Furthermore, founders driven by a desire to improve the world often outperform those solely motivated by money. Graham suggests that as the world shifts from zero-sum to creative, idea-driven industries, kindness increasingly becomes a competitive advantage.