Michael Arrington has written a somewhat strong piece on his views on European startups.
As always, a browse of the comments leads you to the conclusion that arrogance and defensiveness are common traits shared across the Atlantic. However, I think Michael has missed a rather important point – while correctly attacking the climate (in particular bureaucracy) arrayed against start-ups he misses that his definition of success is an American one.
Maybe working 70 hours a week for years turns him on. Good for him. He can profit from our varying attitude and hopefully we’ll profit from what he’s producing. In the meantime, we’ll have a fair work-life balance and work hard without forgetting the other things in life. Chances are we won’t be outlandishly rich, chances are he’ll spend less time with friends and family. Neither approach is wrong, merely different.
He also appears to believe that being bought out by an American company is failure. Given the amount of money changing hands it’s an interesting definition. Even in America, independence is not always a company goal.
I fear I won’t be moving to America any time soon to join in the Silicon Valley 24-hour workday. In any case, even if I wanted that lifestyle the pound won’t buy very much elsewhere ;-)
