But this is not about rational thinking. So yes, thrills are part of the allure. It might be argued, though, that the real motivation behind the pervasive restlessness among M.B.A. students lies far deeper than the superficial appeal of the opportunity to wallow in riches or risk. Actually, there's a case to be made that the almost pathological yearning many people feel for the New Economy isn't the product of any unique, particularly contemporary circumstance. Rather, it may have its source in a lightning storm of universal human needs that happens to have found a convenient route to ground.
Pundits are fond of declaring the Internet boom unprecedented.
And from a purely economic standpoint, they may be correct. But from a sociological point of view, they're dead wrong. Truth is, something very much like this probably happened to your grandfather. A test of pride and guts, open to all. Tremendous responsibility in the hands of the young.