Advice on moving to Los Angeles:
"Not just LA but California is the most optimistic place on earth. The side-effects of this can confuse outsiders. When you say, “Will you come to my event?” or, “Want to help with this project?” - they will almost always say yes, full of enthusiasm, and actually 100% sincere, fully intending to be there, to help, whatever. They honestly and optimistically think that they will be there and do it. They have the best of intentions. But when it actually comes to that time, and they’ve optimistically said “yes!” to a dozen other things too, or perhaps they’re just nestled in the comfort of their California home, then... well... they reluctantly “flake” - and won’t follow through. Don’t get bitter and write them off as fake, or backstabbers. Just understand that it’s a side-effect of sincere optimism, and adjust your expectations accordingly."
Sivers doesn't mention that a lot of time the people that "flake" in the example end up being a new ideas biggest supporters. Successful ideas get made despite the "flake" because the founders are just that dedicated. Then they show the idea to all the optimistic flakes and they jump on board and spread the idea. There are different degrees of this and it happens most at early stage things. But it happens on a bigger scale too. Think of all the Google, Apple and eBay employees that rushed over to Facebook when it started to get traction. They waited just long enough to get a "sure thing," - although it wouldn't look like a sure thing to someone less optimistic. For that optimism, and their willingness to jump on the bandwagon, they are richly rewarded.
