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That is a somewhat misleading representation of the "Law of Jante". It is not specifically about achievement or success. It is rather a "small town syndrome" (J
by olavk 14y ago
That is a somewhat misleading representation of the "Law of Jante". It is not specifically about achievement or success. It is rather a "small town syndrome" (Jante is a typical small provincial town) which says you shouldn't try to act as if you are different and better than other people. Outwardly flashy display of wealth is definitely breaking the law, but so is beeing indifferent to material possessions and living like a poor boheme or eccentic.
In typical protestant style, working hard and becoming wealthy and successful is concidered virtuous, as long as you dont "act different" but remain "one of the people".
Of course the opposite culture exist in big cities, were hipsters and celebrities try to be as flashy and individualistic as possible.
Anyway, I don't think The Law of Jante is a real impediment to startup culture, the real cultural issue is that Scandinavia doesn't have the same risk-taking culture of the US.
- ThomPete 14y agothe real cultural issue is that Scandinavia doesn't have the same risk-taking culture of the US Exactly. Courage is the biggest problem here.
- aslakhellesoy 14y agoCase in point: The term "venture capital" doesn't exist in the Norwegian language. The closest translation is "risikokapital" which literally means risk capital. This says a lot about our culture.
- psykotic 14y ago> This says a lot about our culture. That's a big leap. In Danish we just say "venture kapital". There are thousands upon thousands of direct loanwords like this. I wouldn't read anything deeper into it.