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Could Silicon Valley Become the Next Detroit?

5 points by jfarmer 18y ago

jfarmer 18y ago
The argument is that Silicon Valley isn't doing enough pure research and will therefore be eclipsed by outfits in other countries where pure research has better funding. The data is pretty anecdotal -- an Indian PhD who says India now offers a better chance at success for his children than the US and a $5MM grant to a research program in China to fund nanotechnology research -- but it's interesting food for though.
pg 18y ago
No sign of it so far. Last cycle YC had a record number of applications for funding. Now several times more investors want to come to AngelConf than we have room for. So both cylinders of the engine are still firing fine as of now.
- jfarmer 18y ago
  Both good signs, at least vis-a-vis the current recession, and I don't really by his argument myself, but it sounds like he's talking about a multi-decade change. Will the current macro-level forces turn Silicon Valley into the next Detroit? The current issue of The Atlantic has a more interesting article on this called "How The Crash Will Reshape America." You can read it here: http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200903/meltdown-geography http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200903/meltdown-geography That author argues the exact opposite. The most interesting idea he talks about (IMO) is this: Every phase or epoch of capitalism has its own distinct geography, or what economic geographers call the “spatial fix” for the era. The physical character of the economy—the way land is used, the location of homes and businesses, the physical infrastructure that ties everything together—shapes consumption, production, and innovation. As the economy grows and evolves, so too must the landscape. He points to a less suburban future, where mega-regions dominate the geo-financial landscape. Silicon Valley is right at the heart of one of those mega-regions.
davidw 18y ago
Been there, done that: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=450172 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=450172

5 points by jfarmer 18y ago

The argument is that Silicon Valley isn't doing enough pure research and will therefore be eclipsed by outfits in other countries where pure research has better funding. The data is pretty anecdotal -- an Indian PhD who says India now offers a better chance at success for his children than the US and a $5MM grant to a research program in China to fund nanotechnology research -- but it's interesting food for though.

pg 18y ago

No sign of it so far. Last cycle YC had a record number of applications for funding. Now several times more investors want to come to AngelConf than we have room for. So both cylinders of the engine are still firing fine as of now.

jfarmer 18y ago
Both good signs, at least vis-a-vis the current recession, and I don't really by his argument myself, but it sounds like he's talking about a multi-decade change. Will the current macro-level forces turn Silicon Valley into the next Detroit? The current issue of The Atlantic has a more interesting article on this called "How The Crash Will Reshape America." You can read it here: http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200903/meltdown-geography http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200903/meltdown-geography That author argues the exact opposite. The most interesting idea he talks about (IMO) is this: Every phase or epoch of capitalism has its own distinct geography, or what economic geographers call the “spatial fix” for the era. The physical character of the economy—the way land is used, the location of homes and businesses, the physical infrastructure that ties everything together—shapes consumption, production, and innovation. As the economy grows and evolves, so too must the landscape. He points to a less suburban future, where mega-regions dominate the geo-financial landscape. Silicon Valley is right at the heart of one of those mega-regions.

davidw 18y ago

Been there, done that: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=450172 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=450172