3 ms·

Its a little egocentric to expect a metropolitan area of 2 million to not be able to invent something. The world economy isn't on hold because one location is d

Its a little egocentric to expect a metropolitan area of 2 million to not be able to invent something. The world economy isn't on hold because one location is doing well.

marcus_holmes 11y ago
God no, Perth people are incredibly inventive and creative, it's not that we don't expect people to invent things here (and if my first post sounded like that then I got the tone totally wrong). It's just that in a town where everyone knows everyone, we'd expect to hear about awesome stuff like this happening locally before it hits HN ;)
- fit2rule 11y ago
  I think what you're witnessing is the Perth "blow-hard" effect, wherein the culture has a proclivity towards hype and hubris if it thinks something is "world-changing", because Perth is an underdog city in the context of Australia, an underdog country. Perth culture promotes the idea that its citizens are bound by destiny to have a big impact on the world, since its literally a city on the edge of the world, very far from most of the major civilizing actions, and very isolated from most of what is going on. So it "has to be" a very progressive, "forward-thinking" place. Whenever someone in Perth invents something neat, its a "world-changing thing, invented here in humble Perth" .. usually turning out to be exactly the opposite. (Disclaimer: Sandgroper.)
  - marcus_holmes 11y ago
    nah, there are genuinely world-changing people here. I think it's more that finally, because of the internets, people can genuinely change the world from Perth. They always had to move East or North before. Now we actually have people here making a global impact we get astonished by it, and very very proud :)
  - rustynails 11y ago
    Your assessment is unfair. I'm not from Perth and have no vested interest in defending it. The article is typical journalism. Perth blows no more smoke than anywhere else. The only place in Australia that could be accused of the arrogance you talk of is Victoria (nicknamed "France 2nd" for a good reason). Perth now isn't exactly a shining example of journalism. It's one of the lowest quality publications in Australia. Adelaide's advertiser is probably the worst. ABC News or The Australian probably the best.
newman8r 11y ago
Also realize that innovating/startups are seen differently in different cultures and even 30 years has changed the landscape dramatically in the US as far as big opportunities for people who can do more than just inherit money really really well and/or climb the ladder at huge corporations. Being able to make your own equipment/3d printing is and will continue to be a game changer.
shardinator 11y ago
I think what Marcus is referring to is that the "startup community" in Perth may not have heard of this prior to the whole world hearing about it. Given what a significant and huge undertaking this project is I can understand his surprise. I've decided to read the local news more often, so by chance I did come across this the other day.In general I suspect there are many more world class projects coming out of the unis, research institutes, mining engineering firms and just smart people working away within their own circle of interest. Many of which will never be heard from either within the startup community or general public.

Its a little egocentric to expect a metropolitan area of 2 million to not be able to invent something. The world economy isn't on hold because one location is doing well.

marcus_holmes 11y ago

God no, Perth people are incredibly inventive and creative, it's not that we don't expect people to invent things here (and if my first post sounded like that then I got the tone totally wrong). It's just that in a town where everyone knows everyone, we'd expect to hear about awesome stuff like this happening locally before it hits HN ;)

fit2rule 11y ago
I think what you're witnessing is the Perth "blow-hard" effect, wherein the culture has a proclivity towards hype and hubris if it thinks something is "world-changing", because Perth is an underdog city in the context of Australia, an underdog country. Perth culture promotes the idea that its citizens are bound by destiny to have a big impact on the world, since its literally a city on the edge of the world, very far from most of the major civilizing actions, and very isolated from most of what is going on. So it "has to be" a very progressive, "forward-thinking" place. Whenever someone in Perth invents something neat, its a "world-changing thing, invented here in humble Perth" .. usually turning out to be exactly the opposite. (Disclaimer: Sandgroper.)
- marcus_holmes 11y ago
  nah, there are genuinely world-changing people here. I think it's more that finally, because of the internets, people can genuinely change the world from Perth. They always had to move East or North before. Now we actually have people here making a global impact we get astonished by it, and very very proud :)
- rustynails 11y ago
  Your assessment is unfair. I'm not from Perth and have no vested interest in defending it. The article is typical journalism. Perth blows no more smoke than anywhere else. The only place in Australia that could be accused of the arrogance you talk of is Victoria (nicknamed "France 2nd" for a good reason). Perth now isn't exactly a shining example of journalism. It's one of the lowest quality publications in Australia. Adelaide's advertiser is probably the worst. ABC News or The Australian probably the best.

newman8r 11y ago

Also realize that innovating/startups are seen differently in different cultures and even 30 years has changed the landscape dramatically in the US as far as big opportunities for people who can do more than just inherit money really really well and/or climb the ladder at huge corporations. Being able to make your own equipment/3d printing is and will continue to be a game changer.

shardinator 11y ago

I think what Marcus is referring to is that the "startup community" in Perth may not have heard of this prior to the whole world hearing about it. Given what a significant and huge undertaking this project is I can understand his surprise. I've decided to read the local news more often, so by chance I did come across this the other day.In general I suspect there are many more world class projects coming out of the unis, research institutes, mining engineering firms and just smart people working away within their own circle of interest. Many of which will never be heard from either within the startup community or general public.