Sweaty, insane, cracked: Decoding the language of founder praise

In the world of tech, a new language has emerged, one that serves as both a social credit system and a form of praise for founders. This jargon is characterized by words like "sweaty," "insane," and "cracked," which indicate just how exceptional a founder is supposed to be. As startup valuations have become inflated, so too has the praise, with investors, employees, and other founders collectively inventing an escalating vocabulary to signal exceptionalism.

"Sweaty" is a relatively new addition to this lexicon. Originally derived from gamer slang, it refers to founders who are deeply engrossed in their work, often wearing sweats and constantly connected to AI. While the term does not literally imply the founder is perspiring, it conveys a sense of being permanently online and always working, often sacrificing sleep for the sake of their craft. In the tech world, this is seen as a sign of dedication and success.

The term "insane" has also become increasingly common in describing founders. Once reserved for situations that were genuinely alarming, it now adorns almost any founder who demonstrates even a hint of competence. Raising a significant seed round, building a prototype in a short time, or responding to emails promptly are all considered "insane" achievements. This level of praise indicates that the founder is highly skilled and capable, but it does not necessarily imply any mental health concerns.

The highest accolade in this tech jargon is "cracked," which has surpassed "goated" in popularity. Borrowed from gaming, "cracked" describes founders with near-superhuman technical abilities and an astonishing execution speed. Such founders often seem to possess an unfair advantage, shipping products at an impossible pace, instantly understanding complex technical concepts, and still managing to engage on social media platforms.

Being "cracked" signifies that a founder is operating at an exceptional level, far beyond what is considered "insane."

However, being labeled as "cracked" is an elite status that is only attainable by the most exceptional founders. There is no clear end point, as multiple founders can hold this title simultaneously. As startup valuations and praise levels rise, so too do the terms used to describe founders. Eventually, someone will likely emerge as "insanely cracked," a status that is currently inaccessible to anyone.

As with startup valuations, the superlatives used to describe founders rarely decline. Once everyone is deemed "insane," a new term like "cracked" emerges, and when everyone is "cracked," another elevated term follows. This cycle may continue, potentially leading to the emergence of even more extraordinary labels in the future.