But he hasn t been able to get together with his pals once a week as he would like, and the friendships haven t blossomed. They really didn t start up again because there wasn t enough time. Goodwin and his friends aren t alone in being time-strapped. Being bosom buddies isn t difficult just because of time constraints. The fact that instant fortunes can be made by being at the right firm at the right time also can conspire against old-fashioned friendships.
Entrepreneurs count the number of contacts they ve made when asked about friends.
Social gatherings turn into networking events, where the scale tips toward business rather than pleasure. A. Jacquie Taliaferro spent nearly five years in the film industry in Southern California before eventually launching an entertainment Web site in San Francisco a year and a half ago. He says Silicon Valley s social climate is starting to feel like the calculating, cutthroat one he left behind. I see that happen in Silicon Valley a lot. Still, not all is slimy and grim about friendships here.