i thought john battelle did an amazing job putting together one of the best conferences i've attended. i heard many people say it felt very bubblelike. in fact, every party or event seemed like a lead in to this topic.
i dont believe it felt bubbly. the bubble was a time of rampant over speculation. there is nothing wrong with speculation, being the act of making bets. i might even suggest that venture capitalists are supposed to do this. the problem is when it gets to a point of sillyness, when too much capital becomes available. i think that a market as we have now that is rewarding enough companies to keep entrepreneurs experimenting and investors often backing them is very healthy. a key for it to remain healthy is that capital doesnt get too available. if we see companies raising $50m on a business plan, throwing elaborate launch parties at limn, bidding up the price of engineers and offices then we're in a bubble. in my mind a 'mini bubble' isnt a bubble at all. almost seems as if we all feel that by saying it enough it wont come true again...and that may be right:)
I totally agree with you on this one Mark. I think that there's enough discipline and memory of what came before that we won't see bubble like conditions anytime soon.
Posted by: Chris Law | October 10, 2005 at 05:58 PM