This really is just arguing semantics on the internet, one of the least interesting activities, usually.<p>I can almost guarantee that Paul Graham has read material produced by companies, which contain information on a business' plans and current status, including financial.<p>If you don't want to call that reading a business plan, that's fine. But it's really besides the point.<p>Further, he's denied that other people have read business plans or balance sheets for him. That's also very likely false. Reviewing a balance sheet is an elementary part of due diligence, I'm sure that many startups have been funded based on a conversation over coffee, but at the scale of PG's investments I don't believe he's never been involved in a transaction where his side has had someone due the most elementary due diligence to confirm founders' statements, e.g. by reviewing a balance sheet / income statement, which he has denied.<p>I mean hell, he's been director of various companies, typically you're required to co-sign at least annual financial statements as a regulatory obligation, sometimes audited, which always include balance sheets. Come on. Just restate your point: I don't focus investment decisions on traditional balance sheets at all, but rather on conversations with founders.