Startups aren't a zero-sum game. If you're in direct competition with a YC startup, the synergy might hurt you (though everyone says not to worry about competitors anyway). But if you're not going after the exact same segments of the same market as a YC startup, their success isn't hurting you one bit.
By definition, if start-up x has an advantage over y, y is disadvantaged relative to x. With all due respect, I don't mean to argue over minor things or 'knock' yc. But surely this is a statement of fact. If not, please prove otherwise.
I know a lot about this first hand, so I will give you two very simple pieces of advice that will help improve your life by 10x in 1 year if you take them. It won't be easy and it will take 1 year, so you have to stick with it. The good news is that it's fairly easy after you do it the first time.
1) Go talk to more people. Half of them may be ass holes. Another 45% may not care but as edw519 said "Fuck that shit". The 5% who will become your friends will be worth their weight in gold.
2) Work hard and know that the world doesn't owe you anything. Guidance is for you to seek. If teachers are bad, teach yourself. You are lucky to know English and be in a position where you can learn programming in a world filled with poor people who don't get to eat twice a day. You need to not just accept but believe that you are lucky.
I have read Driven to Distraction. I want to say I read it before I went to the therapist a decade ago, but I am not 100% sure.
This and other books (I recommend Delivered from Distraction, The checklist manifesto, The creative habit) helped form the core of my support structure, but I am not always good at using it. I keep revisiting my decision to get evaluated / take drugs but it comes down to this - I tend to use my weaknesses as crutches. It doesn't matter what the world labels my problems, they stem in my head and every non chemical way of dealing with them revolves around building habits that help address these. I am consciously eschewing drugs because I have a very addictive personality and I am just jumping ahead to working on my habits.
drugs =/ crutch. yeah self medicating with blow is bad, of course, but with the direction of a doctor, the right drug can allow you to really do what you intend to do, and preven those short circuits in your brain from screwing it all up. think of the right dose/chemical as reading glasses. why struggle to focus your eyes when they're just not going to cooperate? Clearly, there are non chemical ways to help the syndrome but the chemical help is powerful and a responsible adult choice.
