The Interview

Name: Alexis Ohanian
Age: 25
Occupation: Entrepreneur, Graphic Designer, Musician

Actually, I insisted on not having any nicknames and always went by Alexis. But maybe I never heard any that I really liked.

If the day is going well, I’ll have my keys, phone, and wallet on me. I usually have a laptop and a book with me, too. It justifies the existence of my manbag.

These days, the challenges are far less perilous than when we were a startup. Back then, I felt like giving up every few days — especially given some family issues that arose — but the thought of actually doing it never crossed my mind. I suspect it’s part of the delusion that comes with starting a company — that, and a very supportive family.

That changes depending on where I am at the moment, but it almost always includes this laptop.

Ahh, the advantage of only having a few years of experience on a large project that turned out to be a success…

Before reddit, I’d started a forum that grew to a few hundred members discussing world news, politics, etc. but eventually flamed out. It was a great experience in community management and my ambitions for that site certainly got funneled into reddit.

reddit.com - a lot of people are better informed/entertained because of it and I think we’ve somehow contributed to a decline in the United States’ GDP (breadpig is a close second)

1. Since I was a child, my parents.
2. During reddit, it was typically any naysayers and trolls. I even kept a wall of negative-reinforcement that had quotes and clippings.
3. More recently, Barack Obama.
4. I’ve also long been motivated by rainbows.

• People matter, things don’t.
• Be skeptical — especially of any advice given by 25 year olds

• “Welcome to Earth. It’s hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It’s round and wet and crowded. At the outside, you’ve got about a hundred years here. There’s only one rule that I know of: Goddamn it, you’ve got to be kind!” — Kurt Vonnegut
• I also regularly look to this regularly for inspiration: http://despair.com/limitations.html
• And this, I start every day with this video to ease me into my morning coffee, then watch it an unhealthy number of times throughout the day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5j2YDq6FkVE&feature=related

Answering job interview questions (I’ll let you decide if that’s a strength or weakness)

Me: It’s definitely a strength. You did great on your interview - you’re hired! See on you Monday.

1. Happiness
2. Working on interesting problems
3. World peace - Or at least 2 out of 3.