tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981308710120163981.post5129168031460340543..comments2024-03-28T05:35:15.799-04:00Comments on Gordon's STEM Blog: Facebook IPO - Huge Gain for California & Huge Loss for MassachusettsGordon F Snyder Jrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04523828287507213516noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981308710120163981.post-2213473098530033322012-02-02T08:46:02.525-05:002012-02-02T08:46:02.525-05:00I agree 100% with you. I get out to the bay area ...I agree 100% with you. I get out to the bay area 4 or 5 times a year and was just in Palo Alto 3 weeks ago. It's a different culture / buzz. In the 70's and 80's we did have something going in Mass 128 area but we lost it. Cambridge is hot but limited space to grow. I've got a lot of hope for Holyoke and the area surrounding the High Perf Computing Center ( http://www.mghpcc.org/ ). We've got to grow some of our own tech businesses here and keep them here. It's going to take some time.Gordon F Snyder Jrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04523828287507213516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981308710120163981.post-46310092180418328582012-02-02T08:37:25.088-05:002012-02-02T08:37:25.088-05:00I do not think Massachusetts would have had enough...I do not think Massachusetts would have had enough of a “cool” factor to keep a company like Facebook, even Boston could not compete- New England weather, cold winters with snow and humid summers. I think the Silicone Valley is too huge draw for many reasons. The companies that are there and the history of the area - HP garage, Apple, Google… The California cool culture is irresistible. The weather in that part of California is fantastic all year. The proximity to San Francisco, winery’s etc. is a huge plus. Also the density of “techy-geek” types in the area makes being a geek now very cool. My sister lives in Palo Alto so I visit every year. It has turned into a unique city with Stamford as one of the gems, the restaurants, and the feel to the place are unique. Now the big issues are housing and funding the schools. Real estate is sky high, a postage size lot cost a fortune. The public schools out there are still in real trouble even with all this start up money, the arts are cut and they expect parents to kick in at least $650 per kid voluntarily into the system – they publish who gives, lots of pressure. The competition at the schools is fierce as the genetic makeup of the community is very intellectual with high expectations. Your average and above average kid is going to have a tough time. It has become very elitist and that all may be a turn off some day.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com