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I moved back to the "real world" in the last 6 months and couldn't agree more. But, I think that the issue is just that startups, by their nature, aren't a goo

I moved back to the "real world" in the last 6 months and couldn't agree more. But, I think that the issue is just that startups, by their nature, aren't a good fit to less dense environments. If the focus is to grow, grow, grow, I imagine that the density of major population centers helps that significantly. Granted, they have a couple ideas on the list that would help: - One Million Jobs - Transportation & Housing (I have a dream that the combo of self-driving ai and low earth orbit satellite internet will bring a resurgence of rural opportunities) - Diversity (I'm reading this generously on the hope that more companies will consider using remote work to bring in non-urban perspectives) - Future of Work - Underserved Communities (they're probably not thinking of rural communities here, but they should)

steveklabnik 9y ago
I don't disagree, what I see the parent doing is agreeing with this sentiment: > I think that the issue is just that startups, by their nature, aren't a good fit to less dense environments. That's not inherently a value judgement, but also, many people don't want to see the long tail get ignored either.
- neuland 9y ago
  > That's not inherently a value judgement This is a great way to look at it. It's not that startups not being more as useful to rural people is bad, per-se. It's just that it'd be nice if there were some alternative set of new, innovative businesses that are good for them. Though, I'm not really sure what a business like that looks like.
  - steveklabnik 9y ago
    Yup, that’s the trick! I don’t know either.
    - jonox 9y ago
      I think you somewhat hit on this when you mentioned Facebook and Twitter. It seems to me that any business that connects people in more rural areas with the masses is a potential winner (consider how rural areas grow quickly when they're connected directly by rail or an interstate). Maybe some sort of marketplace app or website that expands the reach of rural businesses; Etsy for the best mom and pop shops across the country?

steveklabnik 9y ago

I don't disagree, what I see the parent doing is agreeing with this sentiment: > I think that the issue is just that startups, by their nature, aren't a good fit to less dense environments. That's not inherently a value judgement, but also, many people don't want to see the long tail get ignored either.

neuland 9y ago
> That's not inherently a value judgement This is a great way to look at it. It's not that startups not being more as useful to rural people is bad, per-se. It's just that it'd be nice if there were some alternative set of new, innovative businesses that are good for them. Though, I'm not really sure what a business like that looks like.
- steveklabnik 9y ago
  Yup, that’s the trick! I don’t know either.
  - jonox 9y ago
    I think you somewhat hit on this when you mentioned Facebook and Twitter. It seems to me that any business that connects people in more rural areas with the masses is a potential winner (consider how rural areas grow quickly when they're connected directly by rail or an interstate). Maybe some sort of marketplace app or website that expands the reach of rural businesses; Etsy for the best mom and pop shops across the country?