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"You're an idiot if you don't start an Internet company right now"

Written by: Paul Kedrosky

Article Overview: The following comes from my friend James Altucher's latest TheStreet.com Internet Review (subscribers-only) newsletter. He quotes a highly successful non-Internet entrepreneur friend recently saying to him as follows:

"You're an idiot if you don't start an Internet company right now"

The following comes from my friend James Altucher's latest TheStreet.com Internet Review (subscribers-only) newsletter. He quotes a highly successful non-Internet entrepreneur friend recently saying to him as follows:

"You're an idiot if you don't start an Internet company right now."

James is a smart guy, so while this is truly a froth-inducing quote for the bubble-spotters out there, take it in the spirit James almost certainly intends it. He points to both cyclical (Internet stocks) and secular (declining cost of code, ad boom, etc.) factors in the markets right now that favor more successful Internet-centric models and companies emerging.

While it's easy to scoff, keep in mind that James, in addition to being smart, has been around the Internet, venture capital, and entrepreneural block for more than a decade. He realizes, like many techies don't, that some seemingly irrational expansions go on much longer than cynical and weary insiders think. He also realizes that there is a difference between a great business and a great investment. at least in the short run.

[obDisclaimer: I write a weekly Saturday column for TheStreet.com]

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Article Tags: boom, decade, expansions, friend james, froth, insiders, internet company, internet entrepreneur, internet stocks, internet venture capital, james altucher, models, scoff, smart guy, spirit, subscribers, techies, thestreet com



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