@zachpogrob
Obsession beats discipline - go all-in on your craft until you either die or get reborn.
DO NOT MOVE TO AUSTIN - you will lose your friends forever.
The Reasoning
Cities have gravity. Austin in particular pulls people out of ambitious networks and into comfortable stagnation. The move often signals giving up rather than leveling up. Social networks do not survive the distance.
What Needs to Be True
- Austin is genuinely less ambitious than alternatives (NYC, SF)
- People moving there are choosing comfort over growth
- Social networks genuinely do not survive the geographic distance
Counterargument
Austin has vibrant tech scene and lower costs. Many successful founders have built there. Different cities suit different phases and goals.
What Would Change This View
Seeing multiple people I respect move to Austin and maintain or increase their ambition and output.
Implications for Builders
City choice is a commitment to a peer group
Choose cities with people slightly ahead of you
Do not optimize for comfort - optimize for growth environment
Example Application
“Friend considers Austin move for lower costs. Recognize this as optimization for comfort. Stay in NYC/SF where the pressure and peer quality elevate output.”