Yes we all know it is true, when we think “Start Up” we think Silicon Valley. There is no argument there. Here at East Coast Blogging, we often wade in and ponder this what’s and why’s that make the valley such a special place. We also look at the other areas that are smaller, yet very good tech hubs where startups seem to gravitate and thrive.
I was reading my feeds and came across Michael Arrington’s response post to a post by Glenn Kelman, CEO of RedFin. Glenn’s point was
None of us thinks Seattle is ever going to be much like Silicon Valley. We believe instead that what other cities can learn from Seattle is how to be different than the Valley, not the same.
It is a good post and I invite you all to go check it out. But this post is not about his post, rather the Arrington response. More specifically, one statement he makes in the post
But the best of the best come to Silicon Valley to see if they’re as good as the legends that came before them. It’s a competitive advantage to be here. And if you aren’t willing to take advantage of every possible advantage to make your crazy startup idea work, perhaps you shouldn’t be an entrepreneur.
I have one question (and excuse my language) but who the fuck does Michael Arrington think he is? I will give him the first thought , I agree, there is definitely an advantage to being in the valley. But honestly, who is he to question peoples motives and abilities to be entrepreneurs ? Does he have some insight into the will and motivation of people scattered across the world who have great ideas and are working to build something of them ? No he does not. There is not a cookie cutter for an entrepreneur. Some have time and resources to dedicate and maybe move to the valley, but others like myself, have a family, a sound job, and roots in the areas we currently reside in, and we have to make do with the resources available to us. How dare he question peoples will ? Sure I have the will, Ann Bernard certainly has will, as do the thousands of other out there who have a passion for their ideas and are striving to reach their goals. Michael Arrington does very well to show his true colors and prove what many call his over arrogance.
Michael, I am an entrepreneur. I may not live in the Valley, or the promised land that you seem to have ordained yourself “god” of out there, but I will do what I can to make my ideas come to life. Is entrepreneurship about a location ? No. It is all about people working on their dreams, and in my dream the background is the Capitol, the White House, and the Smithsonian, not an arid valley in central California.
