Nat Friedman, the former CEO of GitHub, has stirred curiosity among his followers with a recent post on X. He is inviting volunteers to join him in constructing a challenging 5000-piece Lego set in his Palo Alto office. The intriguing aspect of this invitation is that participants are required to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) before they can engage in this seemingly light-hearted activity.
In his post, Friedman expressed the need for volunteers, stating, "Need volunteers to come to my office in Palo Alto today to construct a 5000 piece Lego set. Will provide pizza. Have to sign NDA. Please DM." This unusual requirement has raised eyebrows, particularly considering the nature of the project, which is centered around a popular children's toy.
Amanda Silberling, a senior writer at TechCrunch and author of the article, has pointed out the peculiarity of requiring an NDA for a Lego-building venture. Silberling has written for several prestigious publications, including Polygon and Business Insider, and holds a B.A. in English from the University of Pennsylvania. With her diverse background—including roles as a grassroots organizer and museum educator—she brings a unique perspective to this unfolding story.
The Lego set in question is considered an architectural challenge, adding another layer of intrigue to the project. Given Friedman's significant following of 215,000 on X, it is no surprise that this offer has garnered attention. Silberling speculates that Friedman might have access to exclusive Lego sets, fueling her curiosity about the purpose behind the project and the necessity of the NDA.
While she finds it unusual for Friedman to impose such a requirement for a Lego assembly, she remains open-minded about the potential implications. As the co-host of the podcast "Wow If True," which delves into internet culture, Silberling is no stranger to exploring unusual topics. She even humorously suggested her willingness to break the NDA for what she describes as "lowest-stakes journalism," inviting others to join her in this unconventional pursuit.
For those interested in learning more or sharing insights about this Lego-building initiative, Silberling has made herself accessible via Signal or email at amanda@techcrunch.com. Given the blend of creativity, mystery, and legal intrigue surrounding this project, it remains to be seen what outcomes will emerge from this intriguing invitation.
Leave a Reply