That sucking sound

Mike Arrington: Times are good, money is flowing, and Silicon Valley sucks.

Hard to argue with it.  Except that a lot of us are still focused on technology, burgers and beer.  My read of Mike's post is not the insanity of valuations, marketing budgets and parties.  Maybe a bit of the pitchiness that bloggers and journalists deal with in frothy times.  But certainly the culture that existed here a short bit ago.  Back when I met Mike, actually, and a bit before.

Funny how I couldn't find an entrepreneur who blogged about this gut checking post, even when part of the point is the valley is flooded with itinerant entrepreneurs.  Except Eric Rice, who is from here, like me.  We're the idiots who didn't move out when it got too expensive, for some good reason we believe in.

Deep within me I fear that the region that learns too much about, instead of from its failures, becomes Detroit.

Comments

[Sean Ness]

Detroit was a one-trick pony: cars. Silicon Valley is a world leader in several categories: Internet, software, hardware, semiconductors, biotech, stem cell, alternative energy, nanotech, etc. If one or a couple falter, we have something to fall back on. Also, we have a much better climate with access to the ocean, mountains, wine country, etc. I wouldn't lose much sleep...

[Jeffrey Osborne]

Have you ever been to Detroit?

[Erwin Feldhaus]

Seen from the other side of the pond it is difficult not to sympathize with that view.

(Net) entrepreneurs here hardly ever get that "flying high" feeling, even during "very good times".

Reality checks are on the menu every day.

Don't know which is better.

[Steve S]

Reality checks might be frequent, but they are almost always ignored. In web, you quickly pick up thick skin.