4 ms·

Midwesterner -> SF transplant here. There's fundamental cultural problems in the Midwest that are basically insurmountable. Outside of pockets like Boulder, peo

Midwesterner -> SF transplant here. There's fundamental cultural problems in the Midwest that are basically insurmountable. Outside of pockets like Boulder, people are simply culturally uninterested in the future, changing things, or improving on their situation. People correspondingly are very content; they immerse theirselves in their families, their relationships, Football, etc. Starting a technology company here would be a very lonely endeavor.

dsfyu404ed 9y ago
I suppose many of them could craft a similar statement about the culture in SV
deadmetheny 9y ago
>people are simply culturally uninterested in the future, changing things, or improving on their situation I'll give you not wanting to change things, but people here are certainly interested in ensuring the future is good for themselves and their kids - there's just a lack of bullshitting ourselves about changing the world by working on a cell phone application. >People correspondingly are very content; they immerse theirselves in their families, their relationships, Football, etc. You say all of that like it's a bad thing. The Midwest is a peaceful place, and I happen to like it that way. I don't want or need a constant bombardment of Things To Do, my situation is exactly where I want it to be.
- natural219 9y ago
  I totally agree actually, and maybe worded it a little poorly. I love it back in the Midwest and mostly think positively of it, I just think starting a technology company here would be a mistake, since they are inherently risky endeavors, and Midwesterners are culturally adverse to taking risks in my experience.
  - deadmetheny 9y ago
    I think it would largely depend on what sort of company you wanted to start - I would agree that a traditional SV-style startup is probably going to spectacularly fail. However, my experience with starting a small bootstrapped company was very positive, especially given the lower cost of living. It wasn't anything that was gonna make me rich but it was definitely doable. Honestly, I think the idea that anywhere other than SV is gonna be come SV is silly - but I also do want to help dispel the notion that the Midwest has no technical talent or is unfriendly to tech. We have a lot of tech talent - a large portion of it just ends up leaving for the coasts for better networking rather than setting up shop here, or working for large established companies for steady pay.
notfromhere 9y ago
boulder is not in the midwest
X86BSD 9y ago
How dare they actually value what’s important and be content and happy how dare they! I’ve seen the future California wants and some of it sucks. People addicted to electronic devices. Going entire days without looking another human in the eyes. Working 18 hour days at some slave startup. Come on man. Tech is not what’s important. I think those of us in the Midwest have a better foundation of what’s important. As you said, families, relationships, Friday night local football games, but you enjoy your society of sexual predators and socialism out there! KC btw has a small but active tech startup scene.

dsfyu404ed 9y ago

I suppose many of them could craft a similar statement about the culture in SV

deadmetheny 9y ago

>people are simply culturally uninterested in the future, changing things, or improving on their situation I'll give you not wanting to change things, but people here are certainly interested in ensuring the future is good for themselves and their kids - there's just a lack of bullshitting ourselves about changing the world by working on a cell phone application. >People correspondingly are very content; they immerse theirselves in their families, their relationships, Football, etc. You say all of that like it's a bad thing. The Midwest is a peaceful place, and I happen to like it that way. I don't want or need a constant bombardment of Things To Do, my situation is exactly where I want it to be.

natural219 9y ago
I totally agree actually, and maybe worded it a little poorly. I love it back in the Midwest and mostly think positively of it, I just think starting a technology company here would be a mistake, since they are inherently risky endeavors, and Midwesterners are culturally adverse to taking risks in my experience.
- deadmetheny 9y ago
  I think it would largely depend on what sort of company you wanted to start - I would agree that a traditional SV-style startup is probably going to spectacularly fail. However, my experience with starting a small bootstrapped company was very positive, especially given the lower cost of living. It wasn't anything that was gonna make me rich but it was definitely doable. Honestly, I think the idea that anywhere other than SV is gonna be come SV is silly - but I also do want to help dispel the notion that the Midwest has no technical talent or is unfriendly to tech. We have a lot of tech talent - a large portion of it just ends up leaving for the coasts for better networking rather than setting up shop here, or working for large established companies for steady pay.

notfromhere 9y ago

boulder is not in the midwest

X86BSD 9y ago

How dare they actually value what’s important and be content and happy how dare they! I’ve seen the future California wants and some of it sucks. People addicted to electronic devices. Going entire days without looking another human in the eyes. Working 18 hour days at some slave startup. Come on man. Tech is not what’s important. I think those of us in the Midwest have a better foundation of what’s important. As you said, families, relationships, Friday night local football games, but you enjoy your society of sexual predators and socialism out there! KC btw has a small but active tech startup scene.