HN user
Very bold + smart move on Facebook's part. Google should've taken similar step when it approached Path. Am a Google fan, but what's unfortunate is that social would be totally different by the time it successfully builds G+ to look like Facebook. This is should be the time to invite folks at Path/Pinterest to the negotiation table, if anything Wallstreet won't think it's stupid...Facebook just did it.
Really nice response, I think what most people often fail to realize is that it's not always about the money. True entrepreneurs are terrible at handling discomforts worst of one that could easily be fixed. I left a six figure salary in the medical field, sold my bmw and moved to SV from the east-coast to fix a problem that costs this country $300 billion annually in additional healthcare costs. It's about finding the best use of your talent.
Henry Ford once said that "the competitor to be feared is one who never bothers about you at all, but goes on making his own business better all the time." Microsoft's history of wallowing in denial whenever something new emerges to threaten its legacy product is indicative of the reason why they always react defensively vs Apple. Google on the other learned from IOS and was quick to go on the offense with Android.
Interesting. In addition to post-high school education access, it's important that we also re-think our education system by creating environments that inculcates learning around our individual passion/talent. Above average performers are known to love their craft, and in a hyper-competitive economy that requires one to learn, unlearn and relearn, passion would matter a whole lot.