A 2008 essay by Paul Graham highlights the cultural differences between Cambridge and Palo Alto. In it, he notes that Cambridge values intelligence and personal development, while Silicon Valley prioritizes individual power and achievement. This distinction reveals the core principles of the region’s startup culture, which emphasizes “great men” and small teams with a focus on making a significant impact rather than intellectual pursuits.
Source: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-21/to-understand-doge-look-to-the-tech-industry-s-reading-list