What Startups Are Really Like
I sometimes wonder if the Valley culture doesn't socially construct some of the startup pathologies.  For example, startups taking over your life: why does this happen?  Is this because startups take over your life and nothing can be done about this?  I am skeptical of this: I run a small business, the time demands are rather modest, and I live a life outside of work.  I'm surely not uniquely in a position to do this.<p>Now, step back: who here wants to say any variant of "That isn't the same thing!", "That isn't possible!", or "You are insufficiently dedicated and will never be truly successful!"  You see, <i>that</i> is why startups take over your life: because you expect them to take over your life, everyone you know and talk to and model your behavior on expects them to take over your life, and if they're not taking over your life you are told you are doing something wrong.