I really love the way Allen's shining a light on the underbelly and back corridors of the Web 2.0 world - especially on his Twitter - http://twitter.com/centernetworks

That said, I'm starting to realize that networking and social connections are what make the world go around. The world doesn't work on fairness or ideals. People get into positions because they're friends with those in power or can use their connections to "grease the wheels." Even organizations and events that claim to be fully democratic rarely are.

Seth Godin's new "Tribes" schtick seems to say that people like to form together into "tribes" that then support each other and the leader(s) of that tribe. Whether that's a tribe of Seth Godin supporters, a tribe of NY tech elites, or a tribe of higher-ups on this very site, it doesn't matter. People are going to stick into tribes, people will brownnose, and people will use their contacts and networks to get an advantage. Is it really worth exposing if it's going to always happen?

I think there's value in documenting and discussing this sort of thing.

If it won't always happen (or will always happen but is one of those things that earns a degree of passive (or active, depending on the example) condemnation when it does) and people don't like it, the discussion might bring about change. If it will always happen, or even if Tech NY doesn't change, it might still help the reader better understand the context, be it the NYC startup scene, their own tendencies and "tribes", or something else.

NY Tech Meetup is just one venue. Build something people like and people will talk about it:

"Quotably- new website makes following twitter conversations easy" (from News.YC to twitter to TechCrunch in ~24 hours) http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=144253

Well, yes, people will always do those kinds of things, but there is a question of degree. Having lived in Italy for a number of years, for instance, I'd say it goes on way too much there, and much more than in the US, even though it undeniably happens in the US too.

It's good to point it out when it's so blatant.

I tried to present Fleaflicker 3 times at NY tech meetup and was never selected. Some of the presenters that were picked instead were worthwhile, others weren't.

Instead of getting all upset about not being in the right circle of friends, why not just work your way in? They seem like alright guys.

Also, even from an outside perspective (I don't live in NYC) it's really obvious they are all friends. Just read their blogs.