I wonder sometimes whether people in Silicon Valley know how the rest of the world thinks about and acts on technology. I mean, I know they do to a degree, but is there anyone else besides me that thinks it’s kind of an “ivory tower” existence over there, with people chasing the latest shiny thing regardless of if people want or need it?

Juicero

I think of California as a bunch of spastic children with adhd supported by hollywoods money managed by it folk who outsource their real talent and claim windfall profits, why are most apps made in ca.

I've spent quite a bit of time there with work. They really don't. They're more interested in changing/influencing how the rest of the world relates to tech. It is an ivory tower, but they aren't chasing shiny things. They're making the shiny things, and (successfully) convincing the rest of the world to consume/chase them.

@mithereal 🙅‍♂️ no politics please

@nate calling it like i see it

I think that certainly was the case in California, say, 15 years ago, but it's priced itself into a major decline. Real innovation is done by small startups, who can't afford to operate there.

@bahua Really? I think they get -funded- to operate there.

@nate

Again, that was the case, but today VCs are wary. They fund innovation, not rent.

There was a strong argument that the best talent was there, and worth paying the premium to operate there to get them. But now, there's exceptional talent everywhere.

But funded by who most of my job offers as of late come from tx. Offers from ca are not grounded in reality they want unicorns California is fake it till you make it i; think vc are tired of getting burned

@bahua Well, you have to fund both. Many investors would say that being in SF is an accelerator to innovation and growth.

Separately I think WeWork is interesting - investors are investing in rent outside of SF. Personally I think the model their is wonky.

I'm not seeing the 'exceptional talent everywhere' claim.

@nate i see talent everywhere, California clouds judgement, if a vc can get the same quality for cheaper they're going there. Look at outsourcing firms. Vc are in Cali because of hollywood making them rich, the overall population is getting tired of being lectured by the Hollywood elite and their time is coming soon. Therefore the money will dry up and the only option will be elsewhere it's inevitable, if they would actually make good products rather than pushing agenda things might be different.

@mithereal What about all of the big corps that are already based in and around SF? How do you explain that?

@nate like i said their time is coming change doesn't happen overnight. If Cali doesn't change its hardcore finical issues the citizen will do what it takes to survive, even leaving if it means survival, not wanting to discuss politics but you know what I'm talking about, the rent is to damn high and its only going up, why?

Yeah, I disagree than Hollywood, or any segment of the entertainment industry has anything even remotely to do with the money in the bay area.

The most profitable business in existence is lending and investment, and that's what's happening in SF.

@bahua hollywood does have a lot to do with that by selling hopes and dreams to the masses in order for them to move there. Not directly but indirectly they've convinced the society that ca is the place where things happen.

@mithereal Oh sure it is. A combination of demand and restrictions on building in the SF area. That's why Menlo Park is a bit of a way out, but ultimately still has the same issues. The employees are compensated enough to afford the rent.

If you want to -buy-, you have to be a founder and take the gamble on that paying off. Totally. Or, an employee in a startup with stocks and that paying up. Look at GitHub and they already seem to be f-ing ex employees over.

@mithereal Let's say that is true - it would soon stop if there weren't jobs though?

@nate yes if the jobs aren't there or don't pay enough for an avg standard of living only those who are complacent will be there, ca is hurting now riding the wave of debit to the feds that is. They will not necessarily crash its called normalization, but hopefully if/when they do they don't hurt to many people by homelessness. For me it's not feasible to pay that much for rent. Japan is in debit 200% of gdp i believe. So who knows.