Re:Ask HN: Normal to feel stuck at Big Tech?
by PaulHoule on Thursday March 09, 2023 @12:16PM
(#35083680)
Yes.
FAANG is not really a good list, particularly "N" doesn't belong, but these companies have this in common (with the caveat that some of the statements would have to be qualified for some of the firms.)
The strength of these companies (except for the hardware manufacturer) is not based on the strength of their technology or process but they all were leaders at one point in time.
Rather these companies are strong because they are monopolists (mainly because of two-sided markets, except the hardware manufacturer has a lame duck competitor which keeps real competition at bay) and/or are overcapitalized (can buy competitors or subsidize one business on the strength of another business, particularly the web services business that has an online store attached)
These firms are prestigious to work for and pay well because they are highly profitable but the advantages that make them highly profitable are not something you can walk away with. (I'd contrast that to startups I worked at which failed to achieve product-market fit or that got acqui-hired where I got an insider view of the technology and the markets, particularly paths not taken, and the market is either pre-PMF and wide open or is still competitive.)
FAANG is not really a good list, particularly "N" doesn't belong, but these companies have this in common (with the caveat that some of the statements would have to be qualified for some of the firms.)
The strength of these companies (except for the hardware manufacturer) is not based on the strength of their technology or process but they all were leaders at one point in time.
Rather these companies are strong because they are monopolists (mainly because of two-sided markets, except the hardware manufacturer has a lame duck competitor which keeps real competition at bay) and/or are overcapitalized (can buy competitors or subsidize one business on the strength of another business, particularly the web services business that has an online store attached)
These firms are prestigious to work for and pay well because they are highly profitable but the advantages that make them highly profitable are not something you can walk away with. (I'd contrast that to startups I worked at which failed to achieve product-market fit or that got acqui-hired where I got an insider view of the technology and the markets, particularly paths not taken, and the market is either pre-PMF and wide open or is still competitive.)