This also goes back to pg's article on where you live and what defines "power". In the past 7 years, I've lived in the following places and definitely have see

This also goes back to pg's article on where you live and what defines "power". In the past 7 years, I've lived in the following places and definitely have seen what constitutes wealth/doing well: Cambridge- Definitely education, but in a weird place. I studied for the summer at Harvard. Everyone was unique, some cases weird, but absolutely brilliant in their specialty. It was about being the best in their area of study. New York/Northern NJ- I grew up here, and this is where I was before going back to Boston. It was about more traditional routes of money, and nothing earth shattering. You were a dentist, a doctor, or wall street trader. There were some celebrities around too. It was all about the traditional path. Go to a private high school, go to a good college, get the right internships, slave away 9-5, then become rich via Goldman Sachs or something. Boy did I break that mold... (Went to Boston College next, but not adding that in since Cambridge covered that area well enough) Miami- Now this is interesting. The whole Miami Vice attitude you see is 100% real. My thoughts on this area are indicative of it as a whole, NOT the technology sector, which is flourishing very nicely down there. Success was measured by how nice your material possessions were. Lamborghinis, bottles of Cristal, and overpriced penthouses. Most money here wasn't really earned, but through family inheritance or foreign overseas money. Yes, drug money still powers part of the town. Silicon Valley- This can include SF, even though my experiences are from living in Palo Alto. It's all about what you're building, who you're going to help, and what the "delta" is. How were things before hand, and how are they once you're done? No doubt money is important, but it's a by product of the previously mentioned statement. In my 5 months here, I've met the founders of insanely successful companies, billionaires,etc. Honestly, you wouldn't know it, if it wasn't for the companies they founded. Everyone is also willing to help out here. In short, wealth is valued by what you have created and the people you help achieve that same goal.