I was born and raised in upstate New York. I have never seen an article that better describes the rotting corpse that is the Rust Belt of the United States - "You can't make money with some goofy website! When are you going to get a real job? I hear they're looking for people at the Old Mill." Never mind that the Old Mill, in its heyday, employed ten times as many people as it does now. It just boggles the mind...
I think his repetition of the word stupid, and addressing California/startups/etc. as such, without really backing any of it up, was rather... stupid.
Also, smart does not equate to being overly cautious and paranoid, as it sounds in the way he describes his beloved Michigan. Smart, in my opinion, when referring to the startup scene, is being able to analyze the current trends, approximate which direction societal trends will move, and take calculated risks accordingly.
'Smart' will make us stagnant and if being innovative, creative, and progressive is stupid, then for once in my life, i'd rather pursue stupidity.
On another note, it's nice to see Michigan on the cutting edge and flourishing.
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work."
- Thomas A. Edison
One of the reasons Henry Ford was willing to risk so much to start an automobile company is because Thomas Edison, who Henry idolized, encouraged him to do so. Edison told Henry something along the lines of "Do it Henry. If I was a young man I think I would start an automobile company."
I think companies like Y Combinator are serving much the same purpose, helping encouraging people to go after their dreams. Most will fail, but they have probably learned a lot more than they would have in a cube, about both software and business. Those that succeed, well, hopefully they will pass the encouragement on. I wonder who Henry Ford encouraged?
