Yes I actually agree with you. I should have provided better context: 9-5 meaning that people here are mostly content with what they have. They aren't out and about in the city looking to build new ventures, take risks on big, unproven ideas, etc.
You do not need to be building a new venture, or taking risks, or trying out unproven ideas. You need to get a job and make money so you and your family don't starve to death.
It sucks that you're in a place where nobody shares your motivation, but you still need to eat.
I don't think this is helpful. He can provide for his family with out a "9 to 5". He could contract remotely, for example. And he could work on side projects with an eye to the future, which would help keep his spirits up through this period.
I think the important message isn't that a job is from 9am to 5pm, but that you have a job that pays a regular paycheck based on hours worked. mattman is not in a situation to not be making any money.
If you go to entrepreneur events, it's definitely a reality. I've been part of the scene for about 1.5 years and there are countless meet up group/events for new tech. There are coworking spaces that litter a certain part of SF. In Palo alto, I often run into entrepreneurs I've met at other events. At certain cafes, they are loaded with people hacking.
Sideline topic: Yeah, I can't handle these types of crowds, even though I really need to find a co-founder. I can't go to these specifically because of all the talking of sh__ that goes on. I'm afraid many people in the startup scene may think they will be the next best CEO in the world, so they go to these events and typically spend the entire time droning on with enough business/tech-laced hot air you could fill a balloon with it big enough to have saved the Titanic from sinking. But, when it comes to rolling up sleeves and getting things done...well...crickets.
Sometimes I get that sense but these days it seems everyone i meet sold everything back home (a bunch of them European) and moved to the bay area. Most of them took. A short trip first and decided that the scene was infinitely better.
