I am an American, but I also have been a Europhile all my life and lived in Europe for 3 years (London and Copenhagen). I am not at all optimistic about Europe for the short-term or medium-term. Europe seems to perceive itself as a retiree that is past its best years and just wants to enjoy its last few years as pleasantly as possible. European voters seem mad at the current situation, but I do not see any political movement that will be willing to undertake fundamental reforms.
I can see how this would be very depressing for an ambitious young person. I think that you made the correct decision. Living in a new country is difficult, but I think it is well worth the effort. I hope that you find what you are looking for in our country.
Danke, du sprichst mir aus der Seele + personally, I find the absence of successful role models in the tech/entrepreneurship sector in Germany particularly discouraging. Although there are founders like a Samwer, Schwämmlein, Renner, Hecker, Blase or Juls who have the relative success to be such figures, most don't lean into it or prevent publicity (see CHECK24 guys).
While I agree with the general idea and vibe of the post, I think it would benefit from some concrete examples.
> It is almost correct to say that Germany has outlawed ambition. There is obviously no single law that reads “Germans shall not be ambitious, punishable by jail.” Yet, if you outlaw almost every single thing that an ambitious person might need to do for building a great commercial estate and enforce an altered social contract that punishes ambitious people through social relations11, then you have in practice outlawed ambition.
I get that your take is "death by a thousand cuts", but I would like to get at least a couple of concrete examples of laws, cultural attitudes, incentives etc. that make it near impossible for ambitious people to build great commercial estates in Germany.
I'd also be curious to hear from your personal experience. E.g., did you ever think about founding in Germany? What specific hurdles put you off?
(also I just realised a few days ago that you had moved to Substack)
Welcome to America, Jannick!
I am an American, but I also have been a Europhile all my life and lived in Europe for 3 years (London and Copenhagen). I am not at all optimistic about Europe for the short-term or medium-term. Europe seems to perceive itself as a retiree that is past its best years and just wants to enjoy its last few years as pleasantly as possible. European voters seem mad at the current situation, but I do not see any political movement that will be willing to undertake fundamental reforms.
I can see how this would be very depressing for an ambitious young person. I think that you made the correct decision. Living in a new country is difficult, but I think it is well worth the effort. I hope that you find what you are looking for in our country.
Danke, du sprichst mir aus der Seele + personally, I find the absence of successful role models in the tech/entrepreneurship sector in Germany particularly discouraging. Although there are founders like a Samwer, Schwämmlein, Renner, Hecker, Blase or Juls who have the relative success to be such figures, most don't lean into it or prevent publicity (see CHECK24 guys).
While I agree with the general idea and vibe of the post, I think it would benefit from some concrete examples.
> It is almost correct to say that Germany has outlawed ambition. There is obviously no single law that reads “Germans shall not be ambitious, punishable by jail.” Yet, if you outlaw almost every single thing that an ambitious person might need to do for building a great commercial estate and enforce an altered social contract that punishes ambitious people through social relations11, then you have in practice outlawed ambition.
I get that your take is "death by a thousand cuts", but I would like to get at least a couple of concrete examples of laws, cultural attitudes, incentives etc. that make it near impossible for ambitious people to build great commercial estates in Germany.
I'd also be curious to hear from your personal experience. E.g., did you ever think about founding in Germany? What specific hurdles put you off?
(also I just realised a few days ago that you had moved to Substack)
(Still cross-publishing mostly, fyi, though I might share more note-type posts on Substack and longer essays on my personal website).
Might be easiest to chat 1/1 about details sometime?
(makes sense, that's basically what I do as well!)
Sure, happy to! I'm moving this week and starting a new job soon, so everything's a bit crazy but I have made a note to message you in late September.
Enjoyed the read! Thoughts on Singapore, Dubai or Hong Kong as alternatvies?
Interesting developments ramping up: https://twitter.com/balajis/status/1824533037780201580