[k-mcgrady]

>> "Long term thinking is a big potential advantage startups have over public incumbents that have quarterly expectations"

I completely disagree. If a public company has a poor quarter their stock price might fall a bit and shareholders might get pissed off. If a startup has a bad quarter that could be enough to put it out of business. Startups can't ignore the long-term but naturally all new businesses live day-to-day, especially when relying on venture capital and not a reliable revenue stream.

[jackaltman]

I thought about this more and I think you're right. Some companies do become very short term focused when they go public, but when you not longer have to worry about short term survival you can plan much farther out in the future.