Having suffered the effects of Bubble 1.0, there’s an inordinate fear of Bubble 2.0, according to The New York Times and Netscape co-founder Marc Andreessen, writing independently. Well, both would have been prompted by the discussion around a Michael…

My observations of Silicon Valley are that it had changed from a place driven by innovation and creativity to a place full of transient people looking to make a quick buck. Gone are the days that 2 hippy Geeks in a garage create an innovation that changes the world. This has been replaced by well connected people with impressive big company experience that are funded by young arrogant Ventrue Capitalist with MBA’s from big name schools with big company experience. and little proven street smarts or operating experience in a startup environment. Funding for sales and marketing are now the keys to a successful tech company and the backend work is sent offshore to places like India.

I could not see Silicon Valley for what it was until I left as I too was caught up in the hype that Silicon Valley somehow had some sort of superior infrastructure to everywhere else which is why Silicon Valley had so many successful companies.

I have now come to the conclusion that the real reason Silicon Valley produces quite a few successful startups is purely money. Had Serge Brin and Larry Page been located in Ann Arbor, Google never would have got off the ground because of lack of funding.

I found there are alot of smart people with creative ideas who don’t live or want to live in Silicon Valley. There are some advantages in not being located in Silicon Valley as it is easier to attract bright talented people who also want a good quality of life outside work, talent is more affordable, and you don’t have to compete with Google and 5,000 other tech companies for the same talent. The talent pool in Silicon Valley is heavily diluted and mediocre people can move into high positions.

The missing ingredient for success outside Silicon Valley has less to do with the Silicon Valley infrastructure, and more to do about risk capital, both angel and venture money. But I sense the world is changing and astute investors will score big time finding the next Google not in Silicon Valley, but perhaps in Ann Arbor or Australia.

But I also love going back to Europe. A lot of the suggestions here are coming around staying in the english speaking sphere - I rather advise people to spend some time consciously in a non english speaking Europe for example. Or Asia.

To get a feel about how much is just happening in the Valley - but no where else. Which is a good thing - but I would assume a lot of people rather are interested in making something meaningful then burning money.

Sure you do get funding and have MONEY - but who actually earns enough back of that? I am surprised to see how much potential of money and mind and people is wasted in the valley instead of really pushing innovation and development.

Yes, reboot is going to be great, but you will not be able to attend as it is sold out longer time ago. If you like to get a feel for it, I am currently conducting interviews with the speakers as podcast on my blog, about themselves but also about reboots topic this year which is “human?”

@61: we do not get stuck in traffic. We use something called public transportation (and it works quite well aorund the valley) and then cabs *g*

“Saying no to them isn’t really an option.” Actually that’s an illusion. Saying no is ALWAYS an option. Otherwise you run the danger of being overloaded, overwhelmed and burning out.

You might want to check out this blog post, 20 Ways to Say No and start practicing a couple of them to make it easier to say no the next time.

http://adultaddstrengths.com/2.....to-say-no/

I do believe the main difference with “Bubble 2001″ are People:
- better skilled
- more culture
- more creative

About the main question: how to create a “social paradise”, keep it and find back the “joie de vivre” everyday?

My answer: Keep moving!

I’m a young french entrepreneur trying to launch an innovative Web 2.0 platform. And trust me, it’s hard to get money here in France. VCs, Angel investors do not like risks, they only invest in successful american websites copycats like viadeo.com (Linkedin), dailymotion (Youtube). I’m trying to create my firm, but to be innovative, it works against us.

I have to admit, I think about relocating in the Valley, not to drive a mercedes and hire pretty PR girls. But just to be able to work on my new project. I’m not interested in PR, I may be too naive, but I believe my product will speak by itself.

I have friends in Germany, it’s the same. There is good and bad everywhere. But definitely more bad in France, I’m still looking for the good.

May 26
Yahoo Experiments With Non-Yahoo Links On Home Page
Michael Arrington
11 comments »

o(∩_∩)o
(*^__^*)

Though I just moved to the Bay Area (SF specifically), so I hope the money train doesn’t dry up overnight.

Working at startups is so much more exciting than working for big companies.