And then it hit me. Because of greed. Universities are like safe zones for exploring. Us folk in the real world *can* and *do* explore (that’s where W2.0 came from after all), but we are too easily swayed by the money. We stop experimenting and start focusing solely on “monetizing” (still don’t think that’s a real word).

Greed is like a weed that chokes out innovation. Puts the importance of open source in a different light, I think. You can look at open source as that kind of “safe zone” where developers can innovate, learn, experiment without having to worry about $.

Essentially there is too much money in the space, chasing too few good ideas. So, 2 money related factors driving this.

(1) Valuations are high for the larger players so their “currency” (stock) is at a great exchange rate right now. They will be hard pressed to get things this cheaply, so they acquire. Just look at the crazy talk around AOL…

(2) Many of the VC funds from 2000 are halfway to expiration. If they don’t spend the money they will have to return it. What do you think they will do?

the reality is of course that sf and the bay area were nearly destroyed by people and their greed very recently, and that’s what really hurts. hell, i’m talking from portland now, and i didn’t ever want to leave sf.

so i certainly hope things go differently this time. flickr was canadian, wasn’t it? that’s gotta be a good thing. :>

For that small percentage who strike gold based upon their hard efforts, I applaud them heartily. For those working hard on great products big and small that get funding, industry recognition or the like I only wish them the best of success. Within the constrians of our economy, taking what someone offers you is not being greedy. (Though how you control that gift is another matter.

But those are the lucky ones who with their new riches, most likely, are now immune to greed. (unless they are the type that are never satisified) It’s everyone else, those not getting the big payouts - that sense the huge sums of money, options, advances, hiring bonsues, new car leases, etc. around them, that are at risk of losing sight of their rational plans and starts expecting irrational ones.

Again if someone offered you $100+k and a fancy director or VP position and you like that job/company I’d say take it. But take care to remember that any inflated salary/position is likely only tempoary, not a bottom rung from which the future will only go up from.

is it greed or recognizing your window of opportunity?