The market dynamic in London is to recycle money in the banker’s boys club, whereas SV recycles it in tech. In SV, this is all based on the value of a Pay it Fo

The market dynamic in London is to recycle money in the banker’s boys club, whereas SV recycles it in tech. In SV, this is all based on the value of a Pay it Forward™ economy. London is based on a forecasting spreadsheet. NYC has caught on, what gives London? I’ve been in San Francisco for 23 days now. [...] The California niceness is superficial. Europeans tell you, point-blank, that they think your idea sucks. Californians say "Let's keep in touch" or "If you can find a co-lead, we're definitely in". They kick the rejection can down the road and it can cost you months. New Yorkers are between the two on that spectrum: not as blunt and harsh as Europeans, but closer to it than Californians. For example, if you're not from Harvard, Stanford, or MIT, you're a second-class citizen in the Valley. Here's the thing, though. Unlike European-style snobbery, which is overt but actually relatively harmless, you're never told that and unless you're unusually attuned, you'll have no idea what's going on. You just aren't as likely to get good projects, promotions, or introductions that make your career what it should be. The VC-funded, Silicon Valley game is also a Good Ol' Boy network. Don't let the fact that they dress poorly fool you.