The always-readable Paul Graham comes up with ten reasons why high-tech startups condense in the United States. Based on conversations I've had with people who've worked elsewhere, 7, 5, and 9 are especially important. Graham also lists some suggestions for ways to do the US one better, including a high-skill immigration policy less stupid and counterproductive than the 6-year H1-B. (via Slashdot)
Jaron Lanier (who is not a film director) writes on "Digital Maoism", his term for the utopian collectivism promoted by Wikipedia zealots. His analysis of when collective, algorithmic processes work and when they fail matches my own experience. (via Ralph Luker)
Finally, for those feeling nostalgic for a good rant about the British intelligentsia à la early-40's Orwell, I recommend Scott Burgess's Flaying the Flag. (via Harry's Place)
Posted by Ben Brumfield at June 12, 2006 11:29 AMGuy Kawasaki also had a post re: building a silicon valley that had a log of unique points in it. Two that stuck with me:
High house prices (so people put off having kids longer)
Overpopulation (so people are more jealous of each other and are more competitive)
From Lanier:
there's a presumption that something like a distinct kin to individual human intelligence is either about to appear any minute, or has already appeared. The problem with that presumption is that people are all too willing to lower standards in order to make the purported newcomer appear smart.
Very true, but he missed another, perhaps the best example of this in reports of animal language.
Posted by: Alan Hogue at June 15, 2006 10:54 AM