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It was possible to write a search engine in the year 2000? Or any software at all for that matter? And writing a software application is much different from wri

It was possible to write a search engine in the year 2000? Or any software at all for that matter? And writing a software application is much different from writing a mere academic research paper. By being harder and more technical. It, writing software, is engineering actually. Writing software is engineering, backed by computer science knowledge. So, the point is, that has there been a growth of resources and capabilities—opportunities—for motivated individuals to write software apps that are much stronger and capable than their 1990s predecessors? Common sense says "Yes, of course!" But a comprehensive look says no one who is social nor someone who is educated is doing anything like what Sergey and Larry have done for their pre-Google generation. No one is writing anything, no one is building, and least of all is anyone who does the college education thing building anything remotely close to the next Facebook or Google. There are no engineers today. Just drones doing financially compensated development. No passion for building. Instead just doing what is told to do and for to be done.

ethbr1 2y ago
That's because it's easier and more profitable to get acquired by Facebook, Google, et al. Reversing that (so it's easier and more profitable to compete and outgrow them) is step 1.
- disgruntledphd2 2y ago
  And that's why VCs and tech in general should be in favour of strong antitrust and competition law.
lovethevoid 2y ago
They could build because they were left alone and had to prove themselves over time. Now? The split second you have any sort of potential of profitability, you’re surrounded by vultures before you had a chance to grow. You’re bought out, brand changed, and the behemoths get even bigger. Despite all the fuss over passion, even Sergey and Larry would have abandoned it all for the type of money being thrown around in recent years.

ethbr1 2y ago

That's because it's easier and more profitable to get acquired by Facebook, Google, et al. Reversing that (so it's easier and more profitable to compete and outgrow them) is step 1.

disgruntledphd2 2y ago
And that's why VCs and tech in general should be in favour of strong antitrust and competition law.

lovethevoid 2y ago

They could build because they were left alone and had to prove themselves over time. Now? The split second you have any sort of potential of profitability, you’re surrounded by vultures before you had a chance to grow. You’re bought out, brand changed, and the behemoths get even bigger. Despite all the fuss over passion, even Sergey and Larry would have abandoned it all for the type of money being thrown around in recent years.