... rule is that subtraction on an approval path must escalate to cannot ask, never to ask with less. If the thing cannot be rendered in full, the correct behaviour is to refuse to request a yes, not to request a yes

... late in London. The next day, Gustaf emailed. He liked the team and idea but wanted to see more. He sent a link to book a second interview. I accidentally scheduled that one two days later too. The Yes Moment That second call lasted around 30 minutes. The questions were sharper. Our answers were stronger. At the end, Gustaf asked, Would you like to do YC? We said yes