the blog
The price is right. Right now, that is.
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- http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/22/silicon-valley-could-u....
Michael Arrington of Techcrunch fame scribed a short one on the state of Silicon Valley. Everyone and their mother (including mine) moves to the area for dreams of hitting it big. Startups at your left, feuding tech giants grapplin' on the right (along the 101).
Yes, lots of stress and always pressure to succeed. When you work w/ super duper smart peeps, you're always on. It's a madhouse and it never stops. Product managers push for more and more features, so media agents like Techcrunch can spread the word. Any news is good news, right?
I grew up in Chicago, a 'slower' environment where middle-class folks appreciated their earnings and celebrated the four seasons. Here, and probably Los Angeles as well, there's a lot of rich folks. The gap is widening (from what I've read and heard) and the American dream seems to shine less brightly ....
You can, too, own a 1.2 million dollar 3 bedroom single-family home in the burbs. M' parents put 45% down on their first house, their combined annual earnings equaling their mortgage. Mine is ~4 times my yearly. I don't like those numbers.
The Web 2.0 buzz reminds me of Hollywood. Big network studios duking it out, small-time actors building their names (No, Youtube ain't Lindsey Lohan), PR extravaganzas, parties, events, conferences, etc. Yes, things are happening, the economy churns, but it seems there follows a pretentious blanket of ego over the decadent lifestyles of the Valley kin. It all seems so unreal.
Of course, I am focusing on the lean side of Cali life, so don't flame.
I do miss the Midwest and its simpler way of life. It's not my time to leave yet, but one day, I will miss this place.
Oh well, at least it's sunny outside. Everyday.Labels: life, philosophy, siliconvalley
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h: It's funny. Although I should be MORE connected to that frenzy (working in the movie biz), I feel less connected. Maybe it's just the placement of my cog in the machine (not a lighter or in marketing or an executive). The longer timelines of movies help, I'm sure. But I feel very at ease. Maybe you should come work for us... :)
Wednesday, May 23, 2007 11:05:00 AM