The founders in recent YC batches seem more serious. There are fewer posers and scenesters. I asked the partners what's happening. They think it's because they've gotten better at picking.

YC has been a magnet for posers almost from the beginning. If you lack substance, you need brand, and YC supplies instant brand. So separating the earnest founders from the posers has always been a big component of the application process.

YC is always trying to get better at picking startups. It's a significant part of the work. And if you're not getting better at it, you're probably getting worse. So they're always trying new things. It's encouraging to see evidence that these are working.