Maybe there is a vision problem as much as a risk problem. Maybe it is precisely because we don’t have friends and neighbors we can look to as examples of what could be and so we fear the unknown too much. Chances are out in the valley this wouldn’t be the case as stories of success are woven into the fabric of the community. Risk becomes something that comes with the territory versus something that is scary and paralyzing.

So I guess to sum up, your ideas don’t really contradict the idea that Minnesota technologists are risk averse but instead add context and support to that idea.

On the other hand, if you look at people leaving their jobs to start small businesses (including consulting shops like yours), or to do real estate investment, or to do acting or art or whatever, or those kinds of things — there’s a whole lot of people. We’ve got thriving communities in all kinds of risky sectors.

There’s something unique about our technology sector which is dissuading people from risk. And, at least in my case, it’s because I don’t see the payoff potential.