Interesting timing for the essay, since starting March 1st New York City seems to be attempting this exact experiment (I know there is already at least one HN t

Interesting timing for the essay, since starting March 1st New York City seems to be attempting this exact experiment (I know there is already at least one HN thread post about it already). http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/19/nyregion/19bankers.html http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/19/nyregion/19bankers.html To be fair, convincing laid-off quants to stay in the city and form startups isn't quite the same as trying to get SV #2. The city probably wouldn't mind falling into PG's footnote #1 trap, because in the worst case the program would be an alternative to paying unemployment benefits with a free option should someone hit a jackpot.