[mbesto]

> No, you're not competing with them.

Sorry, but I have first hand experience on multiple occasions in the bay area that say otherwise. I'll take my anecdata and disprove your anecdata.

As a long time HN'r myself, I really appreciate the comments you add to discussions, but telling people "you are not X" will make it difficult to get your point across. Not to mention, you don't even live/work here. How are you so comfortable postulating on something you don't have direct experience with?

[tptacek]

I'm being imprecise. Obviously, a lot of SFBA tech startups recruiting developers to implement solutions on extremely well-trodden technical ground are, in fact, trying to compete with Google for the same pool of developers. But that's irrational, and they should stop.

[user5994461]

They don't compete. Good developers who can get a job at the big 4 get a job at the big 4.

Small companies get people who couldn't go to Google or who are ignorant about compensation and perks.

Eventually, people grow up and learn, then they flee to the big 4 if they can.

[pcwalton]

Oh, come on. This kind of silly overgeneralization is more than a little bit insulting to me, my coworkers, and a heck of a lot of other people.

I could have gone to the "big four" a long time ago, and I turned them down. I've never regretted my decision. I've done incredibly fulfilling work here and couldn't imagine working with a more talented group.