I really worry that people get the wrong impression from these articles. Yes, don't ask VCs and journalists to sign NDAs. Yes, don't sign an NDA if you're unsure of whether there's an opportunity.<p>But in the real world, refusing to sign an NDA to move a business transaction forward will very often kill the transaction and sour the prospect on you. Most businesses that have been operating for awhile have very valid reasons to get NDA cover for everyone they work with.<p>A really common case where NDAs are almost unavoidable is when you're working with companies that have in-house general counsel. This, by the way, is one reason not to have in-house general counsel.